ART FOR WELLBEING
Art has been a way for humans to express their emotions for centuries and studies have shown how creativity can increase wellbeing within the artists. While art provides a means for “self-expression,” it is also an opportunity for communities to participate in group activities that increase connectedness and social inclusion.
References
Gillam, T. (2018), "Enhancing public mental health and wellbeing through creative arts participation", Journal of Public Mental Health, Vol. 17 No. 4, pp. 148-156. https://doi.org/10.1108/JPMH-09-2018-0065
Jensen A, Bonde L. The use of arts interventions for mental health and wellbeing in health settings. Perspectives in Public Health. 2018;138(4):209-214. doi:10.1177/1757913918772602
Youth Art
I have always been passionate about the importance of art within our community, especially being accessible to young people. Working part-time at St Mary's AGS, I was able to help students with the Wearable Art Program.
As a committee member of ATFA (The Australian Teenage Fashion Awards), I was invited to MC the state final in WA and then Judge the 2023 Teen Fashion and Arts Festival, The Spring Harvest Festival.
Judging The Spring Harvest Festival 2023
I feel honored to announce that I have been invited to Judge the Spring Harvest Festival again this year, for the 2025 Teen Fashion and Arts Festival.
Spring Harvest Festival 2025
Was an honour to be on the judging panel recently for the teenage fashion awards, a part of the Spring Harvest Festival. Students from schools across WA all gathered to showcase their amazing designs on the runway.
As a committee member I have the privilege to see how much hard work staff and students put into creating outfits and running such a wonderful event like this.
Huge shoutout to Ellianna Frame for organising this event that gathers youth in the arts and supports them as they journey towards professional careers and university in the arts.
I had a lovely time on the judging panel with Michelle Pike, Casey Skupin and Joey Struwig.
Being an artist in the Miss World Australia Program I’ve been able to expand my Beauty with a Purpose Initiative to help inspire youth into the creative arts industry.
My Artworks
Inspired by Alexander McQueen, Vivien Westwood and the absurdity of Gaga fashion my wearable art evokes conversations through weirdness. Femininity meets strength, all of my artworks having the subject matter of gender equality and growth.
CROSSING THE LINE
Our female Elizabethan court jester has crossed the line, been placed in stocks and pummelled with tomatoes. Making a timely escape, the fool darts around animatedly to avoid further public humiliation. Female jesters existed in Elizabethan times, employed to entertain the royal court. The Elizabethan fool is a folk character that has persisted throughout time and is used to highlight the consequence of speaking truths in a humorous fashion. Women commonly use humour to discuss issues and barriers in the workplace. In pure comedy everything is open to ridicule, but entanglement with power and control create potentially threatening situations.
SANDS OF TIME
This elemental wearable art piece is inspired by shifting sand and is designed to evoke the passing of time. Constructed in golden sand colours and inspired by the dramatic music of Dune. The character is designed to be seen as regal, otherworldly, fragile, untouchable and strong. Constructed on the base of a Hollywood inspired nude gown with a custom-made corset, the wearable art elements consist of a complimentary headpiece, shoulder harness, backpiece and shoes. Winding ropes reflect windblown grooves in the sand. Transparent fabric and moving fabric through frosted perspex domes emphasise the unreachable aspects of the character.
MARIE ANTOINETTE’S BAKER
Spare a thought for “Marie Antoinette’s Baker,” with this whimsical 1780s inspired biscuit coloured Polonaise dress with sack back. The piece includes an oversize fan, chef’s hat and shoes dotted with macaroons. The gown is splattered with house paint in the style of Jackson Pollock, to evoke icing and cake batter from a busy kitchen from historic France. Constructed with many elements true to the period, the wearable art piece includes a custom-made corset, bum rump and pocket hoops, and the hard working character is designed to appear busy and elegant.
UP AND AWAY!
Up and Away! represents an artist’s creative journey to follow their passion with increased understanding and an ever-expanding perspective of the world. "The balloon seems to stand still in the air while the earth flies past underneath." This quote from the Brazilian aviation inventor Alberto Santos-Dumont summarises the intent of this piece to depict interesting landscapes from changing perspectives. As we grow, our understanding increases and the world becomes smaller. The colour pallet is representative of the Australian coast and the cross-stitch panels on the balloon show various ocean views.
SYDNEY FASHION SHOW 2025
Presenting the FROTH & BUBBLES collection at Glam Nepal x Australia's Next Top Designer inside the Australian National Maritime Museum on March the 29th 2025, in collaboration with earrings from the Bejewelled Boutique.
I had an amazing time walking the runway and being Designer Coordinator and Creative Director of the show with a wonderful group of models, who embraced the whimsy of the new collection.
Huge thank you to Deepak, the Founder, and Soniya, the model coordinator, plus all the team including hair, makeup and choreography! Was so incredible working with so many talented and kind people.
I was honoured to share the lineup with talented designers from Nepal and Australia and their interesting wearable art, couture and ready to wear collections contributing to a sold out show.
INTERVIEW
DESIGN INTERVIEW
By: Alyssa Davidson
Hypervision Youth Coordinator: Hollie Reece-Jones
Artist: Cat Shepherd
In 2022 I was approached by Alyssa, who asked me to be her subject for a journalism university assignment. While discussing how art can promote wellbeing, we spoke about the pandemic and how art gave me joy during the lockdown. I have entered The Hypervision Festival every year since 2021. Hypervision is a youth art festival that runs annually, accepting submissions from WA residents under 25 who would like their artwork exhibited in a gallery.
Hypervision Awards
2023 - Winner of Fashion Category
2022 - Winner and Runner-Up for two artworks in the Fashion and Jewellery Category
2021 - Winner of Overall Artist and Fashion Category
MODELLING, PAGEANT & ACTING
WORKSHOPS & CLASSES
Mentor & Teacher
As a modelling and acting mentor at PADWA Talent Agency I have run modelling, pageant and acting workshops in 2025. I have be running a seven week acting course to teens every Tuesday evening starting 5th of August 2025.
Photographer: Davide Zamboni
Teaching PADWA Acting Classes for Teens