2021 Mosman Youth Art Prize Winners Announced

The 2021 Mosman Youth Art Prize awarded 17 prizes to talented young artists at a special presentation event at Mosman Art Gallery (MAG) on Friday 7 May. The annual exhibition continues to attract hundreds of entrants aged between 12 and 21, from across Sydney. Just over 235 entries were received, with 174 artworks selected for exhibition and in the running for prizes. This year the exhibition showcases work in a variety of media, including painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, printmaking and video.

Acclaimed Sydney multi-disciplinary artist Abdul Abdullah judged this year’s entries. Whilst at times an overwhelming task, Abdullah found judging the Prize a rewarding experience. Abdullah says: “Every time I work with young people or get to see the work produced by kids I am consistently impressed by the ingenuity, spirit and hard work that goes into it… It was a real honour to be invited to judge the 2021 Mosman Youth Art Prize and whilst sorting through all the terrific entries, my faith in the next generation of Sydney artists was only bolstered.”

This ingenuity and spirit is evident in the winners of each age category: Tertiary (18-21 years), Senior (15-17) and Junior (12-14). First prize in the Tertiary category went to 20-year old National Art School student Madi Lilly of Balgowlah for her oil on canvas painting titled Botanical bottles. Inspired by the Australian bush, Lilly has created a simple but expressive still life depicting native flowers in glass jars.

First prize in the Secondary category was awarded to17-year old Redlands student Carmen Brisson, Cremorne Point for a photographic triptych titled Is consumerism a dream or a nightmare? Showing young women enveloped in brightly coloured and metallic fabric and clothing, the work comments on society’s obsession with fast fashion. Burwood resident and Sydney Girls High School student Yarina Kwong was awarded first prize in the Junior category for her work titled I’m still waiting, depicting a French Bulldog impatiently waiting for his daily walk. The charcoal on paper work showcases the 13-year old artist’s remarkable drawing skills.

Since it began in 1988, the Mosman Youth Art Prize has achieved a national profile and offers young people around the country an opportunity to exhibit their work in a public gallery. The highly sought-after Prize has launched the careers of many successful artists such as 2018 Mosman Art Prize winner and Archibald Prize finalist Natasha Walsh, sculptor Alex Seton and interdisciplinary artist JD Reforma.

Mosman Council would like to thank Gold Sponsors, Audi Centre Mosman for their continued support, contributing $4,000 towards the cash prizes. With this money, the Prize provides rewards for young artists seeking a career in the visual arts and makes the Mosman Youth Art Prize one of the richest competitions for young people with cash and other prizes totalling over $7,000.

The Prize is also supported by local businesses and other organisations, including the Ken Done Gallery, the Rotary Club of Mosman and ArtSmart. Thanks to the continued support of the Australian Watercolour Institute, Mosman Art Society and the Friends of Mosman Art Gallery, MAG was once again able to offer additional prizes, through the Encouragement Awards.

2021 Mosman Youth Art Prize List of Winners

Tertiary

First Prize: Madi Lilly, Botanical bottles. Balgowlah

Second Prize: Amy Na, Untitled. Beacon Hill

Third Prize: Ross Richardson, Memories, since forgotten. Castlecrag

Highly Commended: Beatrice Robinson, Framing Nikoli. Newtown

Senior

First Prize: Carmen Brisson, Is consumerism a dream or a nightmare? Cremorne Point

Second Prize: Laura Zhang, Memories of mangroves. Wahroonga

Third Prize: Hanna Park, Uncensored. Waitara

Highly Commended: Kauri Palmer, απομεινάρι (apomeinári) (Remnant). Frenchs Forest

Junior

First Prize: Yarina Kwong, I’m still waiting… Burwood

Second Prize: Zachariah Kim, An oily disaster. Cherrybrook

Third Prize: Queenie Shi, My friend in Renaissance fashion. East Killara

Highly Commended: Raisa Halim, Portrait. Wiley Park

Other

Friends of the Gallery Encouragement Award – Junior: Yarina Kwong, I’m still waiting… Burwood

Friends of the Gallery Encouragement Award – Senior: Emilia Seoyeon Pang, Stationary. Baulkham Hills

Friends of the Gallery Encouragement Award – Tertiary: Beatrice Robinson, Framing Nikoli. Newtown

Mosman Art Society / Art Smart Encouragement Award: Andrew Land, Her golden fields, her beauty and her terrors. Frenchs Forest

Australian Watercolour Institute Encouragement Award: Jemima Dugan, Souvenirs of another place and time. Balgowlah

2021 Mosman Youth Art Prize Details

• Mosman Youth Art Prize – 33 years in 2021
• On show Saturday 8 May – Sunday 6 June 2021
• Presented at Mosman Art Gallery, 1 Art Gallery Way, Mosman NSW 2088
• Exhibition is free to the public
• Gallery is open 7 days, 10am – 4pm. Closed public holidays
• Reception: 02 9978 4178
• mosmanartgallery.org.au