The City of Subiaco is seeking budding artists to take part in its annual Shaun Tan Award for Young Artists, marking twenty years of this prestigious award for young creatives. Here is the
submission link.
The award encourages imagination and creativity in young people with its patron, Perth-born artist and Academy Award winner Shaun Tan, placing much importance on these qualities in his own artistic practice.
Shaun describes art as “a big laboratory where we are all separate scientists doing experiments; if I draw this what does it look like, what does it make me think about, how does it make me feel?”. This expressive nature speaks to the creative essence of these awards and what they encourage in young people.
Celebrating its twentieth year, the premise behind the Shaun Tan Award has remained the same since its inception – to give young people a place to submit and showcase their work, something that was very important for Shaun when he was a young up-and-coming artist.
“The City is so proud to be celebrating 20 years of this award; we’re pleased to host and support such a wonderful initiative that helps foster creativity and imagination in the next generation,” Mayor David McMullen said.
“I highly encourage students from Subiaco and all over the state to enter; I’m looking forward to seeing what you have in store for us this year!”
Entries for the 2022 award open on Friday 29 April and West Australian school students in years one to twelve are invited to submit an original, two-dimensional visual art creation. Entries will be judged on technique, originality of concept and choice of materials by a panel of local artists, illustrators and educators.
The City is expecting to receive more than 1200 entries, with finalists recognised at a presentation ceremony later this year where prizes will be awarded on behalf of the City of Subiaco and award sponsors.
About the awards
- the 2022 award is supported by Janet Holmes a Court AC, Kool Kreative, Dymocks Subiaco, Jacksons Drawing Supplies and Heroes Framing and Memorabilia
- entries are judged in five age categories from lower primary to upper secondary
- Entries are judged on their originality, concept, technique and choice of materials used by a panel of volunteer judges made up of artists, illustrators and teachers.
- the top ten entries from each category will have their artwork professionally framed and exhibited at Subiaco Library as part of the Shaun Tan Award exhibition
- finalists from regional areas receive financial travel assistance to attend the ceremony.
About Shaun Tan
Shaun Tan is a Perth-born acclaimed artist, writer and Academy Award winner, who has published several unusual and thought-provoking books, including
The Rabbits,
The Red Tree,
Tales from Outer Suburbia, Rules of Summer and the acclaimed wordless novel
The Arrival. In 2011, Shaun Tan won the Academy Award for
The Lost Thing in the Best Animated Short Film category.