Alana Burling, Year 9

To create this piece I began with a base of white crayon patterns, dye and glaze. Over the top of this, I painted shapes with stencils (one of which I made) and patterns by hand with a brush and paint pen. I was inspired by the Betta Splendens, or Siamese Fighting Fish, a very beautiful and intelligent aquarium fish that unfortunately often suffers in the poor care of many inexpert fishkeepers.

I wanted to reflect on the iridescent, flowing quality of their long fins while thinking about all the people who rescue abused Bettas and give them good homes.