Diving into Art: My first art competitions in Townsville
Crystle, a Marine Biology student studying in Townsville from Singapore, is undertaking a PhD with JCU @JamesCookUniversity researching coral restoration. Crystle is one of the 2025 Study Townsville Student Ambassadors, and shares with us her experience stepping into the world of art.
As a marine biology student at James Cook University, much of my daily life revolves around research and the rigour of science. While I enjoy this, I’ve always felt the need for a creative outlet alongside the heavy academic work. Underwater photography has become that space for me — a way to stay connected to the marine life I study while expressing a different side of myself. There’s nothing that brings me more peace than composing a shot beneath the surface, bubbles streaming past my mask, and later reliving that moment on land as I bring the image to life through editing.
Stepping into the art world as an amateur was intimidating, but the support I’ve found in Townsville’s arts community has been incredible. While the scene here is small, it is full of talent. I’m so excited to see it grow, especially with the upcoming North Australian Festival of Arts. Earlier this month, I took a leap of faith and entered two local art competitions; my first real steps into exhibiting my work.
The first was Art of Science, an annual competition run by JCU that encourages students to create artworks inspired by their research. I was honoured to receive first place in the Photography and Digital Art category for my piece Polyp by Pixel about my PhD project.
This mosaic tells the story of coral restoration through ReefSeed, an innovative aquaculture system designed to scale up larval-based restoration and breathe life back into degraded reefs. Each tile represents 10 juvenile corals, together symbolising the 100,000 new lives that can emerge from a single spawning event. The images were captured during ReefSeed’s first trial in March this year, woven together from hours of surveys and system assembly amidst the coral reefs around us. Seen from a distance, the tiles form a portrait of two Maldivian anemonefish, a reminder of the vibrant biodiversity we’re striving to protect.
If you look very closely into the image, it’s made out of many smaller pictures taken during my fieldwork!
The second exhibition was also a huge milestone: my first time showing work in a public art gallery. I discovered the Townsville Art Society almost by accident when I stumbled into one of their exhibitions at Jezzine Barracks. After meeting the volunteers and artists, I joined the society and entered their annual exhibition. This is the competition’s 70th anniversary, featuring works by 69 artists across North Queensland. The exhibition is currently on at the Perc Tucker Regional Gallery (13 September – 16 November), with free entry and all artworks available for purchase.
I have two photographs on display: The Young Monarch, a portrait of a juvenile emperor angelfish, and The Cephalopod Council, capturing a school of squid. Both were taken while freediving with natural light, a technique that I feel best reveals the curious behaviours of marine life without disturbing them. I’m deeply grateful to Study Townsville for subsidising the costs of registration and printing, which have made it possible for me to take part in this event.
Looking back, I’m glad I took the chance to share my work. For anyone in Townsville who’s hesitant to try something new—whether in art, science, or anything else—I hope this encourages you to step forward, even if you feel like an amateur. You never know where the journey might lead you.
Photo Credit: Crystle Wee
September 2025
