Community
8 April, 2021
Young Archies' brush with acclaim
One of Trinity Anglican School’s (TAS) budding artists has been recognised for her self-portrait, winning Cairns Art Gallery’s Young Archie, 9-12 years age category.
A year six student attending TAS’ Kewarra Beach campus, Anja Dimitrijevic’s masterful likeness was awarded first prize by judges, Cairns Art Gallery Director Andrea May Churcher and Cairns artist, Andrew Bonneau, a 2017 Archibald Prize finalist.
In her artist statement, Anja said, “I chose gummy bears as my background because in my way it spreads positivity and optimism on the whole image and it makes my picture look like it’s full of happiness.”
Also making the honour roll from the same campus is year five student Charlie del Campo Lorentzen who received a high commendation for her portrait of uncle Danny, a musician who had recently moved to the Far North from Sydney.
TAS Kewarra Beach Campus Head of Primary School Mary Kershaw said it was wonderful for her student’s extraordinary talent to be recognised and on show in a public space for all to enjoy.
“TAS is a school which nurtures all talents from arts and humanities through to academia and sport. We have a fabulous art department at TAS that is bursting with creativity and joy exuded by students of all ages and abilities,” Mrs Kershaw said.
Charlie and Anja’s works were among 182 portrait entries submitted for judging from Cairns and surrounds.
In hosting this year’s Archibald Prize, Cairns Art Gallery embraced the opportunity to involve the region’s talented up and coming artists in the Young Archie for 5 to 18-year-olds.
Both Anja and Charlie’s works along with all 24 winners and finalists are on display at Cairns Courthouse Gallery until 1 May 2021. The gallery is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 4pm.
The Archibald Prize is also available to view at Cairns Art Gallery until 2 May 2021.
Cairns Art Gallery is open daily from 9am to 6pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 5pm on weekends. For more visit www.cairnsartgallery.com.au
