Twelve-year-old Blue Mountains artist Jessica George said she “wanted to do something nice for her younger sister” when she chose her as the subject for a NSW Art Gallery competition.
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The plan paid off when she was recently selected as a finalist in the 2017 Young Archies competition at the NSW Art Gallery.
The Bullaburra-based artist, who is in Year 7 at Katoomba High school, drew a picture of her younger sister Sarah, 10.
“I wanted to draw Sarah because Charls [Charlotte] is my twin and we do everything together and I wanted to do something nice for Sarah.”
A first time entrant, Jessica said she also chose Sarah because she wanted to capture all her wonderful qualities, like being “kind, energetic, funny and extremely smart and always there when I need her”.
The big hazel eyes were her favourite part to draw, while “the hair and the nose were the hardest,” she added.
Selected from almost 2,250 entrants, the artwork was whittled down to make the final five in the 9 to 12-year-olds category.
The family went to see the work at the gallery over the weekend. Sarah said she loved the bright artwork her sister created.
“I thought the eyes were really good and the hair was the perfect colour,” she told the Gazette. “I think it’s really good.”
This is the fifth year the competition has run alongside the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes. Organisers say it “is a celebration of young Australian talent - inviting artists to submit a portrait of someone who is special to them and plays a significant role in their life”.
Mother, Lisa George said they were “as a family extremely proud of her for this incredible achievement”.
Like last year’s Blue Mountains’ finalist, Jessica did classes with mosaic artist Caitlin Hughes.
“They used to have art classes with Caitlin Hughes, then they got into athletics and netball. With injuries they’ve gone back to the more creative stuff”.
Ms George also credits numerous art projects at Lawson Public for all three daughters’ interest in art
Of the entrants 37 per cent in the 5-8 year category, 45 per cent in 9-12 year, 12 per cent in 13-15 year and 5 per cent in 16-18 year.
Jessica’s artwork and those of the five finalists from each of the four age categories, as well as some honorable mentions, are on display in the gallery at the SH Ervin Gallery and on the gallery website. As a finalist Jessica has already won an art pack and Archibald 2017 catalogue.
If she wins she will receive $100 for ANZ, an art hamper and a family pass to a paid exhibition at the gallery.
“I definitely want to be an artists when I’m older,” she said.
Leading Australian artist Abdul Abdullah is guest judge this year. He was a finalist in both the Archibald and Sulman Prizes last year.
Mr Adbullah said: “It brings me so much joy witnessing young people discover and explore creative practices. I know how important the Archibald Prize was to me growing up, and it’s an honour to be part of that experience for these kids.”
The Young Archie winners will be announced on September 16.
