At the twentieth annual
Shaun Tan Award for Young Artists ceremony this week, 16 young creatives were awarded for their winning entries in the state-wide competition.
The award finalists, aged six to seventeen, submitted a range of artworks including portraits, paintings, digital art and drawings, which are now on display at Subiaco Library.
In his video address to the young finalists, acclaimed artist and award patron, Shaun Tan remarked on the finalists’ creativity, diversity and honesty of expression within their artworks.
“One of the joys of this award is seeing the sheer diversity of work submitted by students across WA, arguably more diverse than any other exhibition you are likely to see this year,” he said.
“I think young people’s artwork is so striking and full of energy because of that simple, deeply honest desire to bring thought and feeling to paper and canvas, to just see what it looks like. To observe, think, transform and share; to play; to get serious; to look at things with new eyes; to be diverse.
“This year is no exception, the work is brilliant, and fair inspiration for many older artists such as myself. A true reminder of what this art-making biz is all about.”
The winning artworks were selected by a panel of judges, including author and illustrator James Foley, who said “We have so many talented young artists in Western Australia and I'm glad this award exists to encourage their creativity.”
This year, the City’s flagship youth art award attracted 1,684 entries from across the state, almost 600 more entries than last year.
There were 153 works submitted from regional destinations including Karratha, Albany, South Hedland, Fitzroy Crossing, Dongara, Broome, Katanning, Eaton and Esperance.
The top ten works from each category, including regional entries from the south west are currently on display at Subiaco Library until Sunday 7 August. The people’s choice award is yet to be decided as voting remains open at the Subiaco Library until the exhibition ends.
The 2022 award is supported by Kool Kreative, Jacksons Drawing Supplies, Dymocks Subiaco, Heroes Framing and Memorabilia and Janet Holmes à Court AC.
Read the full list of winners here:
https://www.subiaco.wa.gov.au/shauntanaward