M.A.D.E. by creative talents, this exhibition features Illawarra's rising stars

From the time he was in primary school, Ben Woodward knew he wanted to work in the creative world.

The recent graduate from TAFE NSW Wollongong’s Diploma of Screen and Media said it was “almost a compulsion” to find creative ways to express himself.

Ben, from Mangerton, is one of more than 100 up-and-coming Illawarra artists whose works are on show in TAFE’s Project M.A.D.E exhibition, now on at the University of Wollongong’s Innovation Campus.

“Choosing to study the diploma was me making a decision to put that deep-seated need to create into practice,” he said.

During the exhibition, Ben will present two films that he produced while studying.

“My films, The Sadness of Hanna Stevens and Deface The Memory, Destroy The Heart, will be playing at the exhibition along with a lot of other work by media students,” he said.

“The Sadness of Hanna Stevens is a faux documentary about the moral failings of a prickly and controlling student filmmaker.

“It was very much a tip-of-the-hat to the kind of monstrous, dictatorial characters in the films of Rainer Werner Fassbinder.

“It was also a place for me to explore my own feelings about the responsibility an artist bears for their work, and the way a filmmaker relates to their subjects.”

Since graduating mid this year, Ben has entered his work in short film competitions and has also been freelancing as a videographer.

He said the TAFE course helped to get the practical skills needed to work in the creative industries.

“The course was really good at getting you experienced in using professional equipment and professional software, as well as the management side of working in the creative industries,” he said.

“To get the most from the course, you need to learn to set and meet deadlines and be able to work with a range of people to achieve the end result you’re after.”

The Project M.A.D.E. exhibition will feature a range of creative works by students and recent graduates, including design, photography, music, screen and sound projects.

Media, Arts, Design, and Entertainment Head Teacher John Kilbey said the exhibition would showcase the knowledge and practical skills students had gained during their course.

“TAFE NSW has a long history of delivering a pipeline of talented workers to the creative industries through the courses we offer,” he said.

“Our courses provide students with the opportunity to develop practical skills that will see them hit the ground running when they begin working professionally – whether that be as musicians, cinematographers, visual artists, or in technical and sound production roles.”

It’s estimated the cultural and creative arts industry contributes more than $120 billion per annum to Australia’s economy and over the 10 years to 2033, Jobs and Skills Australia forecasts visual arts roles will grow by 1400 jobs.

Project M.A.D.E. runs until 10 December in the Mike Codd Building at the University of Wollongong’s Innovation Campus, Fairy Meadow.