Young Archies 2021
The Art Gallery of New South Wales invited a range of artists between the ages of 5-18 to submit a portrait for the Young Archie 2021 competition. This portrait could be created using a medium of their choice in order to depict a person who is special to them and plays a significant role in their life.
St Andrews College has a number of representatives competing in this year’s Young Archie Competition. Congratulations and good luck to the following artists.
9-12 year old entrants
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Title: Airabelle Statement: I chose to do a portrait of my best friend Airabelle because she is someone who I can rely on and someone who makes me laugh. Airabelle is special in my life because she brings out the best in me. I chose the colours blue and yellow for the background because they are her favourite colours. Airabelle is holding a Pepsi can because she loves soft drinks. Her favourites are Pepsi and Cola. She is wearing a Pusheen shirt because whenever I see her, she almost always has a Pusheen shirt on. I chose to portray her with her favourite things therefore she is smiling with content. |
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Title: ‘Artistic Intensity’ Statement: When I asked my brother Lucas to pose for a portrait, I asked him to project a look of how it makes him feel to be a subject of an art piece that will be entered into ‘Young Archie’ as someone who is special and significant to me (because he’s always there for his family, no matter what). THE RESULT: ‘ARTISTIC INTENSITY’ - i.e. a pose of such intensity, focus, support and warmth that is beyond comparison. Just like he is in real life. To quote Lucas: ‘Young Archie, well that’s just EPIC and the best’. |
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Title: One of arts greatest Statement: I have made an artwork who has impacted my life by getting me into visual arts, in my primary school I had a teacher who got me into art by showing how some of the students got into operation art and how they did it, the teacher's name is Mrs Dobrinski. |
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Title: My sister Analise Statement: I chose my sister because she is important to me and I care about her |
13-15 year old entrants
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Title: Baani Statement: Baani, my little sister. I drew her while she was gripping her mother’s shoulder as tightly as possible as she slowly falls asleep. This artwork succeeds in capturing the tranquil, thoughtful side of Baani, which doesn’t come out very often. She has never failed in making others smile and laugh. To show the endless love I have for her, I have chosen to create this portrait. |
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Title: My Father Statement: I have chosen to make an artwork on my dad because he is a major role model and person in my life and I wanted to express my skills and capture my dad. I think he was the perfect muse to my artistic skills and created a wholesome portrait of him! |
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Title: ‘Cover up’ Statement: For my drawn art piece, the thought came to mind, why does our societal beauty standards consistently bring down people of colour? In our society, we tend to not see much representation of people of colour (specifically Black Women) in the beauty industry. Due to this, I referenced my sister as my portrait because as a Black Woman she goes against societal beauty expectations that have driven us to believe non-people of colour are superior. I want my artwork to promote the hidden faces of the media. People of colour should not be covered up or treated as inferior. |
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Title: My mum Statement: I have chosen to do a realistic colour pencil portrait of my mother. I chose to draw her because I wanted to express my love to her. As a growing teenager I have learnt to acknowledge her for always caring for my sister and I. I admire her for her ability to deal with the truffles of parenthood. |
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Title: The Women In The Flowers Statement: I have chosen my mum as my special person. My mum’s love for me is everlasting and everything she does is out of love. She overcomes hardships and obstacles that stand in her way. There are many flowers that surround her, ranging in their diversity. Each flower represents a trait that my mum possesses. For example, there are roses around her especially one that replaces her left eye. Roses stand for love and passion which my mum expresses everyday. My mum is a very special person to me. |
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Title: Shock of the new generation Statement: My friend, Frienczel, sent a selfie of herself in a group chat, displaying feelings of shock and disbelief. I used the photo as a reference for this portrait in order to showcase a modern way of showing our emotions through text. |
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Title: Dad Statement: I have chosen my stepdad Mr. Dillon de Silva. The reason I have chosen him is because he is a great person who has a heart of gold and loves me as if I am his own. I admire his love and dedication to my family, and I wish one day I also can be the man he is to me today. He is a Dad, a best friend and my guide for life, I wouldn't know how it would be to live without him. We may not have the same blood, but he knows me more than I know myself. |
16-18 year old entrants
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Title: My Mother Statement: I chose to depict my mother in this artwork. My Mother is someone who inspires me in all aspects of my life. She is strong, humorous and a kind and loving person. She has a love for nature, which is presented by the coloured leaf border. My Mother seems to be unapproachable, however she is one of the most accepting people I have ever met. I coloured her eyes to make the standout from the rest of the work. The eyes are the key to one’s soul. They tell thousands of stories that words cannot. |
Shandel Mamuk (Visual Arts Teacher)
Tiana Psaila (Visual Arts Teacher)
Pauline Ryan (Leader of Learning CAPA)