The 2021 Mosman Youth Art Prize awarded 17 prizes to talented young artists, aged between 12 and 21, from across Sydney, at a special presentation event at Mosman Art Gallery on Friday 7 May.
Over 235 entries were received, with 174 artworks selected for exhibition and in the running for prizes. This year the exhibition showcases work in various media, including painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, printmaking and video.
Acclaimed Sydney multi-disciplinary artist Abdul Abdullah judged this year’s entries. A Rewarding experience, Abdullah says: ‘Every time I work with young people or get to see the work produced by kids, I am consistently impressed by the ingenuity, spirit and hard work that goes into it… It was a real honour to be invited to judge the 2021 Mosman Youth Art Prize, and whilst sorting through all the terrific entries, my faith in the next generation of Sydney artists was only bolstered.’
Madi Lilly, Botanical bottles, 2020, First Prize – Tertiary, 2021 Mosman Youth Art Prize
First Prize in the Tertiary category (18-21 years) went to 20-year old National Art School student Madi Lilly of Balgowlah for her oil on canvas painting titled Botanical bottles (2020). Inspired by the Australian bush, Lilly has created a simple but expressive still life depicting native flowers in glass jars.
First Prize in the Secondary category (15-15 years) was awarded to 17-year old Redlands student Carmen Brisson, Cremorne Point, for a photographic triptych titled Is consumerism a dream or a nightmare? (2021). Showing young women enveloped in brightly coloured and metallic fabric and clothing, the work comments on society’s obsession with fast fashion.
Carmen Brisson, Is consumerism a dream or a nightmare?, 2021, First Prize – Secondary, 2021 Mosman Youth Art Prize
Burwood resident and Sydney Girls High School student Yarina Kwong was awarded First Prize in the Junior category (12-14 years) for her work titled I’m still waiting… (2021), depicting a French Bulldog, impatiently waiting for his daily walk. The charcoal on paper work showcases the 13-year old artist’s remarkable drawing skills.
Yarina Kwong, I’m still waiting…, 2021. First Prize – Junior, 2021 Mosman Youth Art Prize
Since it began in 1988, the Mosman Youth Art Prize has achieved a national profile and offers young people around the country an opportunity to exhibit their work in a public gallery. The highly sought-after Prize has launched the careers of many successful artists such as 2018 Mosman Art Prize winner and Archibald Prize finalist Natasha Walsh, sculptor Alex Seton and interdisciplinary artist JD Reforma.
A full list of winners can be found on Mosman Art Gallery’s website. The 2021 Mosman Youth Art Prize is on view at the Gallery from 8 may to 6 June 2021.
