At the eighteenth annual Shaun Tan Award for Young Artists ceremony this week 16 young creatives were awarded for their winning entries in the statewide award.
The award finalists, aged seven 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 said that the value of art in society should never be underestimated.
“Art awards provide an outlet for us to look at the way in which our emotions connect with our thoughts: why we are attracted to drawing and painting and other creative pursuits, thinking about what the value of those things actually is, how we can be better at doing them, how they can benefit a discussion about other things and, ultimately, how we can expand our mind and allow ourselves to grow and see more of the world," he said.
"It starts as simple as a scribble on a piece of paper, an expressive action. Art is 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?”
He commended entrants on their ability to finish their artworks, saying that this is not always an easy thing to achieve, and encouraged them to always keep practicing and enjoying their art.
“The most important thing is finish. It’s a hard thing to do. If you are able to complete a painting or drawing you’re halfway there to being a real artist.” Mr Tan said.
This year, the City’s flagship youth art award attracted over 1100 entries from across the state, with just under 150 works submitted from regional destinations including Albany, Margaret River, Dunsborough and Marble Bar.
The top ten works from each category, including regional entries from Albany, Dunsborough and Vasse are on display at Subiaco Library until Sunday 8 August.
The 2021 award is supported by Janet Holmes a Court AC, Heroes Framing and Memorabilia, Kool Kreative, Dymocks Subiaco and Subiaco Bookshop.