While the art world awaited the results of this year’s Archibald Prize, 12-year-old Isobel Bazar was just happy to see the portrait she painted of her Oma hanging on the wall of the Art Gallery of NSW.
‘I was surprised and happy to be in the gallery,’ she said on Sunday, after a busy weekend in Sydney.
‘My portrait was next to some amazing works by the older artists. They were all incredible’.
Isobel says it was very surreal to watch other people looking at her work.
‘I’ve only ever done art locally in class and school. To see adults in the art gallery looking at my artwork and commenting that they liked it was pretty special.’
Oma’s ‘oh gosh!’
And Oma’s response? ‘What! Oh my gosh!’
Isobel says Oma was really happy, and that she has kept the newspaper articles and told family overseas.
‘The Young Archies has gone international! My grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, mum, dad and brother have been to see it too. They are all super happy for me. It’s nice to share it with them all.’
Isobel says her bestie was really happy about the win. ‘She was so excited for me. We girlied out over the Frank Green/Art Gallery drink bottle that I got as part of the prize pack. She was making pastries to celebrate Canada Day. She’s a great baker.’
Isobel’s parents Rachel and Andrew, have nothing but praise for the event.
Positive experience
‘It has been a positive experience for us, not just winning, but the process from go to whoa’, they said.
‘It’s a great initiative by the art gallery, and they really do want to promote the next generation of artists. We would encourage anyone with kids who enjoy art, to have a go.’
For her efforts, Isobel, who was at the gallery for the announcement, won $200 from ANZ who sponsored the prize, and ‘a lot’ of art supplies which is perfect, because she says the win has inspired her to do more artwork.
‘I’ve always loved art and to be recognised at this level, it motivates me. One of the judges – Jumaadi – is such great a artist himself, it’s incredible he chose mine. I saw Victoria (Collings) at the award ceremony. She was the other judge and she runs the Young Archies and knows a lot about art. So cool!’
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