Now that’s spooky!

At first glance there appears to be nothing strange or unusual about Elizabeth Wright and Jessica Maiden. But take a closer look and you’ll see there’s something ‘spooky’ going on with these two.

"We didn’t realise how weird it was until today. People are going to think we are joined at the hip."

The girls are really busy at the moment finishing off their Masters degrees - including a photography exhibition at the University Gallery - so they can start their PhDs at Leeds University in the UK this September. It’s a great achievement for both of them but also a bizarre coincidence that is just the tip of the iceberg.

Track back through their achievements and it’s like a parallel universe has existed between them. Both completed a degree in Fine Art and then went on to do Honours. Both received an Australian Postgraduate Award to study their Masters degree. Both went on exchange to Leeds University, and both have been invited to return.

And the similarities don’t stop there. Elizabeth - born with a congenital impairment in her right arm and leg - uses her photography to explore the human body from a limb deficiency perspective. Jessica - who has had juvenile arthritis and has been left with vision in only one eye - uses her photography to explore the human body from an illness perspective.

Two people can’t be this in sync - can they? You betcha! Both live on the Central Coast. Both swam competitively. Both want to be exhibiting artists. Both plan to continue their research in Europe and both aspire to an academic career. Need more proof… they’re both the same star sign! Spooky, huh? You can catch the girls’ exhibition at the University Gallery at our Callaghan campus from now until 10 July.

Portrait of Elizabeth Wright and Jessica Maiden was taken by Bachelor of Fine Art (Photomedia) student, Michael Randall.