YOUNG ARCHIE 2020 WINNERS ANNOUNCED

The Art Gallery of New South Wales is delighted to announce the winners of the eighth annual Young Archie competition, which celebrates the creativity of young artists from around Australia.

Inspired by the Archibald Prize, the Young Archie competition invites children and teenagers aged five to 18 to submit a portrait of someone who is special to them and plays a significant role in their life.

The 2020 Young Archie competition winners for each age category are (click on the writing in green to see the portrait as well as reading some background to the portrait) :

• 5-8 years category: Gabrielle Guo, 7, Carlingford, NSW, for a portrait of her sister
• 9-12 years category: Ian Joseph Kim, 9, Lidcombe, NSW, for a portrait of his father

• 13-15 years category: Lily Hobbs, 14, Kedron, QLD, for a portrait of her sister
• 16-18 years category: James Stibilj, 18, Wahroonga, NSW, for a portrait of his sister

More than 1800 entries were received in the 2020 Young Archie competition, which were judged by guest judge, Western Sydney based artist and winner of the 2020 Sulman PrizeMarikit Santiago, and Art Gallery of NSW family programs manager Victoria Collings.

“I would like to congratulate all Young Archie winners, finalists and entrants on their creative artworks and encourage them to continue having fun making art,” said Marikit Santiago.

“I thoroughly enjoy judging this competition and am always moved and astounded by the depth of emotion, imagination and skill demonstrated by these budding young artists who work so hard to capture the character of their subjects,” said Santiago.

Santiago was awarded the 2020 Sulman Prize for her work The divine, which portrays her three children, who she often collaborates with in her creative processes.

A perennial favourite at the Gallery, the Young Archie competition is part of the family program for the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes 2020 exhibition. The ten finalists in each age category are on display at the Gallery exhibition until 10 January 2021.

Maud Page, Art Gallery of NSW deputy director and director of collections, said the Gallery is thrilled to engage families in this much-anticipated competition.

“The Young Archie exhibition is always a highlight for the thousands of visitors to the annual Archibald Prize, but this year’s exhibition is especially uplifting as it evokes much-needed feelings of joy and affirms the extraordinary talent of the next generation,” said Page.

“The Gallery is committed to fostering the creativity of young people and the Young Archie competition is a wonderful opportunity for children and teenagers to explore their creative potential.”

Young Archie entries were submitted, processed and judged before the Gallery temporarily closed to the public due to COVID-19 in March.

The Young Archie competition is proudly supported by presenting partner ANZ.

Mark Whelan, Group Executive Institutional at ANZ said: “I’d like to congratulate all winners of the 2020 Young Archie competition. This prize provides an opportunity to profile our up-and-coming artists and nurture the next generation of creative talent. ANZ is very proud to continue supporting the arts community in Australia.”

The four winners each receive a cash prize of $200 from ANZ, an art pack from S&S Creative, a family pass to a paid exhibition at the Gallery and an Archibald 20 catalogue. Each of the remaining 36 finalists receive an art pack from S&S Creative, a cash prize of $50 from ANZ and an Archibald 20 catalogue.

Artworks that received an honourable mention are displayed on the Gallery website and at the SH Ervin Gallery in The Rocks alongside the Salon des Refusés.

All 2020 Young Archie finalists and honourable mentions can be viewed on the Gallery website.