Fish, family and friends: Young Archie winners on show

Children’s drawings of loved ones usually end up on a family’s kitchen fridge but for a talented few, they are hung at the Art Gallery of NSW.

Six-year-old Ella Lee Fowler has won her age category at the Young Archies competition with a portrait of her best friend, Avelyn, titled Under the sea.

Ella Lee Fowler won the 5-8 age group at the Young Archie for a portrait of her best friend. Credit: Mimi Stirling/Art Gallery of NSW

It is the product of some artistic decisions unlikely to be seen in the competition’s grown-up counterpart, the $100,000 Archibald Prize.

Avelyn is pictured underwater wearing the headgear of popular Japanese cartoon character Kuromi and the artist said she chose her subject simply because “she is so nice”.

“I think Avelyn would like to go under the water in the Kuromi helmet, to swim with the piranha and the queenfish,” Ella said.

This year’s competition attracted a record number of young artists with more than 4000 entries. Seventy finalists are on display at the gallery until September. The Art Gallery’s deputy director, Maud Page, praised the finalists and entrants for their “fantastic portraits”.

Leon Do (right) with his brother Xavier, who was the subject of his winning entry in the Young Archie 2024. Credit: Mim Stirling/Art Gallery of NSW

“The exceptional standard of talent, expressive use of line and colour, and heartwarming portrayals of loved ones make Young Archie one of our most popular annual exhibitions,” Page said. “We love this important opportunity to connect children with the joy of art and celebrate the next generation of artists.”

Leon Do, 14, the son of artist and author Anh Do, won with a portrait of his brother in a melancholy mood, titled Xavier on a Tuesday.

“Sometimes Xavier is up, sometimes he’s down; on this day he was in the middle,” the artist said.

“I have chosen to paint my brother because he is always there for me no matter what.”

Winner Leah Blatchford at the Young Archie announcement.Credit: Mim Stirling/Art Gallery of NSW

For the oldest winner, 19-year-old Leah Blatchford, art runs in the family. She was raised at her mother’s art school from the age of four and now teaches there herself.

Her technically accomplished portrait Mum through time pays tribute to the woman who encouraged her creative development.

“It was a long process of deciding how I could capture her essence but I chose to portray herself in the middle surrounded by the drawings I did of her as a child,” Blatchford said.

“The hands around her symbolise not only me as a child but also the children she has at the art school. She’s taught thousands of children and been a role model.”

The commerce student said she was over the moon to win and hoped it meant she could now dedicate more time to her art.

“The traction that I can get through this will help me a lot in trying to pursue art as a career,” she said.

Ten-year old Hollie Au’s winning drawing was of her art teacher, who taught her how to draw a portrait.

As one of four age-group winners she will receive an art hamper and $200.

Young Archies 2024 is free at the Art Gallery of New South Wales until September 8.

AAP