Padstow Heights’ Daniel Lee, 12, won accolades for ‘The most important person in my life’, while Canterbury’s Vee Jei Choi, 15, won for ‘Wonders of Potential’.
A Year Nine student at Dulwich Hill Visual Arts and Design High School, Vee Jei was very quiet when told of her finalist win, according to mother Tae.
“But her eyes grew very big and we could tell she was very excited,” Tae added.
“She has told us since she was very young that when she grows up, she would like to hang her paintings in her own coffee shop because she loves tea – and I don’t think that will change.”
As part of the Archibald Prize competition, The Young Archie invites budding artists aged between five and 18 to submit a portrait of themselves or someone who is special to them.
Also a student at Dulwich Hill Visual Arts and Design High School, Daniel’s painting is of his brother, Nathan, 2.
“I chose him for my portrait because he has made my family happier and his smile supports me during hard times. I drew him doing his favourite things which are eating and going to the park.
“I was surprised as well as excited when I had received the news about becoming a finalist and yes, I would like to pursue a career as an artist when I grow up.”
This year of 2,100 Young Archies entries, 40 entrants now appear as finalists on the walls of the AGNSW, many with talent and skill beyond their years.
Beginning in 2013, this annual competition is judged on merit and originality, by the Gallery’s community engagement manager and a guest judge, artist Marikit Santiago, herself an Archibald Prize finalist in 2016 and 2019.
Young Archie winners will be announced on August 10; for more info, visit
https://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/prizes/young-archie/2019/
