Iona Graduate Featured in Pulse Perspectives Exhibition
We are incredibly proud to celebrate Iona graduate Chloe Haagman (Class of 2025), whose exceptional artwork Anagram has been selected for exhibition in the prestigious The West Australian Pulse Perspectives 2026 at the Art Gallery of Western Australia.
In an exciting and unexpected moment, Chloe was also awarded the 2026 Catalyst - Young Visual Artist Award, a remarkable achievement recognising both her outstanding artistic talent and the dedication she demonstrated throughout the creation of this work.
Selected by the Art Education Association of Western Australia judging panel, the award celebrates innovative young artists while also acknowledging the vital role art educators play in nurturing and encouraging emerging creative talent. Chloe received a $2,500 prize as part of the award, a wonderful recognition of the countless hours, persistence and creative exploration invested in developing Anagram.
Chloe was both shocked and overjoyed to receive the award, with her family, teachers and peers sharing in the excitement of the moment. The recognition was also deeply meaningful for the Practical Arts Department, whose staff proudly supported Chloe throughout her artistic journey during Year 12.
ANAGRAM is a striking mixed-media installation combining hyper-realistic pencil drawings with video work. Technically sophisticated and conceptually engaging, the artwork explores the complexities of perception through the manipulation of language. Chloe’s work demonstrates exceptional creativity, artistic skill and conceptual depth, captivating audiences through both its visual impact and layered meaning.
Reflecting on her work, Chloe explains:
“My artwork explores the complexities of perception through the manipulation of language. The literary device anagram is a word game of perception, where the same letters can be reshuffled to create entirely new meanings.
The phrase ‘THE EYES’ rearranges to reveal ‘THEY SEE’, portraying the notion that eyes are the lenses through which we view art, make judgements and form critiques. My artwork suggests that meaning is never fixed, as interpretation changes according to the perspectives and experiences of the individual.
Through hyper-realistic drawings of reflective balloon letters, I explore the subjectivity of art and perception. The reflective surfaces act like mirrors, subtly reminding viewers that interpretation is also a reflection of themselves and the contexts they bring when viewing art.
ANAGRAM suggests that art is never experienced in the same way twice. Perception is filtered through individual eyes and perspectives, shaping not only how we view art, but also how we view the world.”
The West Australian Pulse Perspectives is an annual exhibition celebrating the talents and perspectives of emerging young Western Australian artists. Now in its 34th year, the 2026 exhibition features 63 artworks by 2025 Year 12 Visual Arts graduates from 43 schools across Western Australia. The exhibition explores a wide range of themes including identity, mental health, cultural experience, environmental concerns, societal pressures and personal reflection, offering an insightful and powerful reflection of the voices shaping the future of our state.
We encourage the Iona community to visit the exhibition and support Chloe’s achievement, while inspiring our current students to continue pursuing their own artistic endeavours with passion, confidence and creativity.