The West Australian Pulse 2023: artist profile Parker Harris on featuring in this year’s AGWA exhibition

It is not easy to convey an experience through art but that is exactly what Parker Harris achieved with their artwork, They are me, I am them, selected for The West Australian Pulse 2023 at The Art Gallery of WA. Representative of their autism, ADHD and being non-binary, the series of cast resin figures took inspiration from the 2022 Year 12 Visual Arts graduate’s life with colour synaesthesia. “I associate colours with most things. In my mind every letter, number, place, person and sometimes memories have a designated colour, for example, when I think of the word ‘art’ I see the colour purple,” Harris explains. “I wasn’t initially sure how to represent autism, ADHD and being non-binary … I really thought about it and I found that I actually associate different colours with different parts of my life. “In my mind when I think of ADHD I think of warm toned colours, like yellow, orange and red. Therefore, these are the colours that I chose to represent my ADHD. It made it easier for me to help viewers see how I experience life.” Harris says going into Year 12 at Perth College Anglican School for Girls, they knew they wanted to create a piece that would resonate with people and also bring awareness, choosing three parts of themselves still considered taboo in parts of society. “I always find that the artwork which I appreciate the most has a very personal meaning to the artist, so I wanted to create art which I know I would appreciate as a viewer,” Harris shares. “The creative process also forced me to look inwards and actually reflect on the unique parts of myself that I love. Even though I try my best to be introspective, I still struggle to always be aware that I experience life differently to most people. However, my art reminds me that I need to be kind to myself and that I’m not alone.” They are me, I am them, is one of 61 works from 36 schools across WA selected for The West Australian Pulse 2023, the annual showcase amplified in its 31st year to include a Pulse program of events to showcase the State’s talent across all creative forms. Gauging the pulse of young people, other artists have also explored a range of themes from mental health and social pressures to gender and culture, environmentalism and technology. Currently on a gap year, Harris will begin studying marine and molecular biology in 2024, grateful for the break after an incredibly time-consuming artistic practice that changed from initially working with clay, after being unable to achieve the colour they wanted with the medium. “My art teacher suggested resin so I started experimenting with creating moulds from my clay figures and pouring resin into them,” Harris recounts. “I was able to mix colours and create layers to visually show how I see different aspects of my identity through my synaesthesia. While resin was not the easiest medium to use, I like the effect that pouring layers created. “The process that I had to use to cast the resin figures was extremely lengthy and took a lot of mental and physical energy. I had to sit down on the floor, mix colours and pour a very small amount of resin at a time so that it could cure properly. This took about an hour every day after school. “While I am really happy that it is finished and that lots of people now get to see it, it was very hard to get to the point of finishing.” Harris says they hope their artwork in this year’s exhibition will not only bring awareness but also normalise the unique experiences of neurodiverse and gender diverse people. “There is no one way to be non-binary, trans, autistic or have ADHD,” they say. “Many people hold preconceived expectations of how someone should be neurodiverse or trans, I hope that my artwork can show people that there are so many people with unique stories, whether that is shown through synaesthesia or the perpetual role that these aspects have in my life.” The West Australian Pulse 2023 is at AGWA until August 20. Visitor voting for The West Australian Pulse 2023 People’s Choice Award closes 5pm, August 6.