Having impressed the judges with her piece entitled “Auntie Val”, Anwen will receive a once in a lifetime, all-expenses paid trip to Japan to see her artwork on display in the National Art Centre, Tokyo as part of the International High School Arts Festival.
To be in with a chance of winning the competition, pupils aged 15-18 across United Learning were invited to submit an original artwork which could be a drawing, painting, 2D mixed media piece or calligraphy.
After art teachers across the Group voted on their favourite pieces to arrive at a shortlist, senior leaders from United Learning, aided by professional artist Suzanne Bethell, decided on a winner and three runners up. The three runners up will also have their pieces displayed in the National Art Centre to celebrate their extraordinary achievement.
The runners up were:
· Vanessa from Holland Park School with their piece entitled “Self Portrait: Unspoken”;
· Matheson from AKS Lytham with their piece entitled “My Dice Jar”;
· Amelie from Campion School with their piece entitled “Innocence”.
Professional artist Suzanne Bethell said:
“This was an incredibly strong field of exciting and skilful work underpinned by considered ideas. Anwen’s technically stunning and affectionate work is outstanding with its innovative colour and monochrome contrast. The highlighted spectacles capture perfectly the flamboyant essence of the subject, a special aunt, described as of a lover of fashion in the artist’s eyes.”
Ben Antell, Director of Secondary Academies at United Learning, said:
“Each year, I am so impressed by the quality of entries to the International Art Competition and by the artistic talents our students at United Learning possess. Providing opportunities for students to express themselves creatively is a key part of delivering an Education with Character and we are so pleased to have had such a brilliant and diverse array of artworks entered into the competition this year. Congratulations to our well-deserved winner, Anwen, and runners up for creating such original and thought-provoking pieces, as well as to all those who took part in the competition.”