Across our global Loreto community, young women continue to reflect Mary Ward’s call to “become agents of change” through creativity, compassion, and courageous thinking. One such voice is Ella, a Year 10 student from Loreto College Marryatville, whose recent artwork speaks powerfully to the resilience of communities living through conflict.
Against a backdrop of global turmoil, including conflict, climate change, and economic hardship, Year 10 students at Loreto College Marryatville reflected on the meaning of home. Their artworks move from personal experience to social commentary, portraying shelter as more than just a structure but a symbol of safety and resilience.
To guide these explorations, the students responded to two major artistic influences. The first is Craig Loxley’s Exodus Series, which addresses the global refugee crisis. Loxley writes, “witnessing people in tents, trapped in an endless movement as they look for dignity, I felt the need to paint. I had to respond; I was affected.”
A second influence came from contemporary artists Isabel and Alfredo Aquilizan, who use cardboard, synonymous with fragility, to comment on migration, displacement, and community through large-scale installations.
Inspired by these influences, Ella was deeply moved by images of families in Gaza and Ukraine, especially those showing homes destroyed by war. Seeking to understand the impact of conflict, she created a mixed-media sculpture to express her response.
Her artwork depicts a multi-level cardboard home, fractured and buckled. Its rooms are exposed as though torn open by violence. Each surface bears distressing textures: ripped edges, weathered walls, and fragmented spaces. These features suggest the aftermath of trauma. Yet, within this broken structure, Ella placed a small central figure. The figure is subtle, illuminated, and standing upright. This glowing presence represents, in Ella’s words, “the persistent hope that sustains people through unimaginable hardship.”
Ella explains, “This home, once filled with life, holds invisible stories. Possibly it echoed with the laughter of children, or maybe it was the quiet sanctuary for someone who lived alone. I chose not to define a single narrative, so that each viewer might interpret it through their own perspective. But no matter what story you see, one truth remains constant: destruction does not erase memory, identity, or the spirit of those who once called this place home. Through this artwork, I hope to honour the strength of all those living with conflict and the persistent presence of hope that sustains them.”
Ella’s artwork reflects the heart of Mary Ward International’s mission: to accompany and support communities facing injustice, and to believe steadfastly in their dignity, resilience, and right to thrive. It also reflects the values nurtured in every Loreto school: critical thinking, global awareness, and a faith that impels action.
Stories like Ella’s demonstrate the vital link between our school communities and the wider world. When students address injustice through art or advocacy, they embrace the vision at the heart of our mission: change begins with a courageous heart. As we strengthen partnerships with Loreto schools, we look forward to sharing more stories from students like Ella. They remind us that compassion is powerful and that hope can shine even in the most fractured places. We invite you to support these young voices, take action in your own communities, and join us in fostering courage, change, and hope for all.
"*" indicates required fields
