Design graduates top the country

A leading national publication has named two USQ art students as the top Australian design graduates.

Prestigious art magazine Monument recently included Tracy Grant and Amanda Joe-Asare in its annual New Generation Top 40 Design Graduates listing.

Tracy and Amanda both completed their undergraduate and honours degrees at USQ and were two of only three Queensland graduates to be recognised.

Tracy was recognised for textiles work which depicted the pain associated with her son's illness and long hospital stay.

Hand crocheting bonnets from copy wire, Tracy began working on the award winning piece when her nine year old son went into surgery.

She said her work reflects the pain associated with finding out her son had severe epilepsy, and was a way to keep her active through the difficult hospital stays in Melbourne.

'After my son was diagnosed with epilepsy I was going through his baby clothes and found a beautiful rayon bonnet.

'When they are a baby everyone says protect their head - we did and it didn't help.

'I made nine bonnets, one for every year of his life.'

Currently working as a demonstrating lecturer in Ceramics at the University, Amanda was the only ceramics artist to be recognised this year by Monument.

'I was quite surprised,' she said.

Having just completed her honours, Amanda said while she always loved art she didn't start out with it as a career goal.

'I started studying a business degree, and after a year decided it was not for me. I decided I might as well do something I loved for the rest of my life.

'When I started studying arts I was able to take up ceramics.

'USQ is the only uni in Queensland to offer ceramics and it is widely upheld outside of Toowoomba.

'It has a really good student teacher ratio, and I think we are well prepared for the real world and given the tools to build a self driven career.'

Tracy's textiles and Amanda's domestic pieces will also be exhibited in the designEX show in Melbourne during April.

Media Contact: Connie-Louise Alexander, USQ Media, +61 7 4631 2977