Louisa Prozzo, of Altona Meadow, and Point Cook's Olivia Beale will have their artworks displayed at the National Gallery of Victoria.

Both have begun university courses this year. Louisa is studying for a bachelor of environment degree at Melbourne University, while Olivia is studying psychology at Monash.

Mount StJoseph's art teacher David Meilak says he's proud of the girls' achievements.

"There were 1700 applicants statewide; 144 were shortlisted and two of our students made the top 57. We are very proud of that fact.

"For someone aged 17 or 18 to have their work exhibited in a world-class gallery is magnificent because it's something some artists take a lifetime to achieve."

Louisa's entry, a charcoal portrait of her younger sister, explores facial expressions and the way they are interpreted by others.

"Basically, I wanted to express how we view ourselves and my artwork portrays multiple images of the same person," she says. "I am interested in the way we can communicate so much through our facial expressions; it's often more than we can say with words."

Olivia's entry, an acrylic painting titled 'The Working-Class Man', portrays her admiration for those who work manually and the tasks they have to complete at times in unfavourable conditions.

"I developed the painting over a period of time and began by taking photographs of working-class men at building sites.

"I wanted to embrace the theme and [I have] used colours that would be seen naturally in that environment."

Top Arts VCE 2009 is open until June 14 at the Ian Potter Centre, National Gallery of Victoria, Federation Square.