This Is Art! Winners Announced | Prize fund of over €10,000 | 3,000 Entries
AND THE WINNERS ARE … FROM DUBLIN AND DONEGAL
This Is Art! Winners Announced | Prize fund of over €10,000 | 3,000 Entries
CELEBRATING YOUNG ARTISTS OF ALL ABILITIES
For more on all the winners | www.rte.ie/thisisart
The Creative Ireland Programme and RTÉ have today announced the winners of the third This Is Art! national competition which celebrates young artists of all abilities. The winners (listed below) from across Dublin and from Donegal were chosen by an independent panel of judges (also listed below) who have again highlighted the high standard of entries right across the age categories.
The competition promotes artistic practice among young people and encourages and supports creativity, originality and self-expression.
Working to the theme, ‘This Is Inspiration’, 3,000 entries were received from young artists of all abilities, aged 18 and under, all over the country who created an original piece of art that will be showcased in an online art gallery for generations to come.
This year 17 local authorities have taken part in This is Art! with 7 of these hosting exhibitions on Saturday 10th June. From Waterford’s exhibition in Waterford Art Gallery to Monaghan’s North Road display, these exhibitions will feature exciting work from budding artists in your area so be sure to check it out (links in Notes to Editors below). Selected works from this year’s entries will also feature on billboards across the country and on social media as part of a campaign by The Creative Ireland Programme and RTÉ.
>>>WINNERS BY AGE CATEGORY
The 2023 This is Art! winners are:
- Age 7 and under: Maimoonah Syed, age 6, Dublin – ‘Punk The Skunk’
- Age 8 – 11: Tadhg Tural, age 11, Dublin – ‘A Day in Lesvos’
- Age 12 – 15: Zihan He, age 14, Dublin – ‘Journey of Tranquility’ (Pictured)
- Age 16 – 18: Georgia Smith, age 16, Dublin – ‘The Stratford Fox’
- Group category: An Chéad Bhliain, Coláiste Ailigh, Letterkenny – ‘Mess Monsters’
The prize fund of €10,000 will be announced, with winners across the different categories receiving prizes, as well as the This Is Art! Grand Prix Award – a specially commissioned one-of-a-kind glass trophy handmade by renowned glass artist, Róisín de Buitléar.
Tania Banotti, Director, The Creative Ireland Programme, says: “On behalf of the Creative Ireland Programme I want to congratulate the winners of This is Art! 2023 on their exceptional work. Creative Ireland is delighted to support any opportunity for young people to be creative in whatever form that takes and this year we were thrilled to see the broad range of styles and techniques employed by everyone who entered This is Art. Like the judges we were genuinely impressed with the breadth of imagination and skills employed by all of our young artists. We would also like to thank our This is Art partners who have delivered this wonderful creative programme.”
Suzanne Kelly, Head of Children’s and Young People’s Content at RTÉ: “RTÉ is so thrilled to be part of such a positive and inspiring initiative. Once again, the level of creativity from 3,000 young artists of all ages and all abilities all over the country has been so impressive. Our invitation for This Is Art! was to get involved, get imagining and get creative and the results have been truly mind-blowing! Well done to all the winners and to everyone who entered. Your work and your contribution to this year’s competition is truly inspiring.”
>WHAT THE WINNERS SAID
Maimoonah (0-7): “When I make art, I feel like I’m imagining myself in everything I love. I’m really glad that the judges liked my art.”
WATCH Maimoonah’s video here.
Tadhg (8 – 11): “Accepting this award was really really exciting for me. I’m so grateful to have won. I wish everybody could win! I love art and I spend a lot of time drawing. I have a big binder filled with all my drawings. I find inspiration all around me. The world inspires me. There are billions and trillions of things around you that you can draw. Creating this art was really fun to do.”
WATCH Tadhg’s video here.
Zihan (12 – 15): “I began creating art when I was six or seven. Art offers a relaxing moment, I get to get away from the stress of school. My piece mainly focuses on the power of music and how it transports us to a more tranquil state amongst the chaos of everyday life. It feels really amazing to win and I love the trophy!”
WATCH Zihan’s video here.
Georgia (16–18): “I’m definitely still in shock that I have won first place in this category in This is Art! 2023. For any young artists, my advice would be to practice every day, just draw and paint even if you think it’s going to be bad. Just keep drawing and keep practicing. If you have what you think is a good idea, you should go for it, just take leaps and go for it. You’re going to be a better artist if you keep practicing.
WATCH Georgia’s video here.
An Chéad Bhliain, Coláiste Ailigh, Letterkenny (Group Winners): “We are so happy to discover that we are the Grand Prix winners in the group category. We worked so hard for weeks on this project and we’re so happy that the judges loved it too. When working with others, there are different ideas and thoughts and it’s great to see how all the different ideas come together to create amazing art. We had great fun making these monsters and as a class we are so proud.”
WATCH the class’s video here.
>>>WHAT THEY WON
Grand Prix Award: The winning artist in each category receives the This Is Art! Grand Prix Award – a specially commissioned one-of-a-kind glass trophy handmade by renowned glass artist, Róisín de Buitléar.
Commendations: Selected works across all categories receive a certificate of commendation along with prize vouchers for art materials and a professional review of their work by one of our judges.
Group Bursaries: Professional art facilitators will provide a unique art experience for the winners and runners up in the Group Category.
Other: Bursaries towards art courses, vouchers for art materials and picture framing vouchers will also be awarded to a number of artists.
>>>WHAT THE JUDGES SAID
See below for the list of judges and more comments from our judges.
About the 0–7 Winner: ‘Punk the Skunk’ (by Maimoonah)
“What a wonderfully expressive and joyful artwork! It is rare that an artwork will capture the attention of all the judges the way that Punk the Skunk did. A beautiful use of materials, Maimoonah has demonstrated extraordinary skill. Wholehearted congratulations Maimoonah, keep being creative!”
Tadhg Crowley, The Glucksman Museum, University College Cork
About the 8 – 11 Winner: ‘A Day in Lesvos’ (by Tadhg)
“This was a compelling winner in this category and shows how art can tell stories on many levels. There is a lovely freedom to how Tadhg draws the courthouse, and you can feel the light and heat from the way he describes the building with fluency and accuracy. It also tells a personal powerful story of what is happening in the courthouse from his perspective. Congratulations!”
Colin Martin RHA, RHA School & NCAD
About the 12-15 Winner: ‘Journey of Tranquility’ (by Zihan)
“Zihan, this is an exceptional piece of art, huge congratulations. You are such an accomplished artist. I particularly love the composition. The double reflection in the window is wonderful, it allows me three perspectives on your beautiful journey of tranquility. Super congratulations and I look forward to seeing more of your work.”
Amanda Coogan, Visual Artist
About the 16-18 Winner: ‘The Stratford Fox’ (by Georgia)
“Street Art is not easy, but this young artist has totally aced it. She has placed a really special piece in the perfect location, taking into consideration what others might want to see. Her technical knowledge is also far beyond her years.”
Ruth Medjber, Photographer
About the Group Winner: ‘Monster Mess’ (by An Chéad Bhliain (Rang Ealaín), Coláiste Ailigh, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal)
“I love how each student who took part, took a piece of the story that meant something to them personally and expressed this through art! The piece looks amazing and I love how they used different mediums throughout.”
Aoife Dooley, Illustrator & Author
>>>THE JUDGES
- Colin Martin RHA, RHA School & NCAD
- Tadhg Crowley – Senior Curator, The Glucksman Museum, University College Cork
- Amanda Coogan – Visual Artist
- Aoife Dooley, Illustrator & Author
- Ruth Medjber, Photographer
Further information and to see all the entries and winners, visit www.rte.ie/thisisart.For more on Creative Ireland, visit https://www.creativeireland.gov.ie/en/about.
NOTES TO EDITORS
>>>COUNTY COUNCIL EXHIBITIONS
County Councils hosting This is Art! exhibitions:
- Limerick Libraries
- Westmeath Libraries
- Wexford Arts Centre Exhibition
- Monaghan North Road Display
- Waterford Art Gallery Exhibition
>>>JUDGES’ COMMENTS
About the 0–7 Winner: ‘Punk the Skunk’ (by Maimoonah)
“What a wonderfully expressive and joyful artwork! It is rare that an artwork will capture the attention of all the judges the way that Punk the Skunk did. A beautiful use of materials, Maimoonah has demonstrated extraordinary skill. Wholehearted congratulations Maimoonah, keep being creative!”
Tadhg Crowley, The Glucksman Museum, University College Cork
“I love Maimoonah’s feeling for colour and paint in this painting. It has a really cheeky feel to the way the skunk is coming over the branch and the paint is scraped back on the bark and the paint is applied with energy. A worthy winner of the 7 and under category! Congratulations.”
Colin Martin RHA, RHA School & NCAD
“Maimoonah, you are a brilliant artist! I LOVED all of your wonderful animal entries and had a hard time choosing my favourite. Punk the Skunk is really accomplished – I can really see him peeping out of the muck under a bushy green tree. The composition and the colours are so beautifully chosen and I loved your mark masking especially the squiggles you drew in the earth. Congratulations, and I cannot wait to see more of your work.”
Amanda Coogan, Visual Artist
“I love Punk the Skunk and I love the fact he likes bubble baths and perfumes. I think this is a lovely painting and really well done.”
Aoife Dooley, Illustrator & Author
“This artist has a bright future. To already have such a distinct style and obvious passion at young age is incredible. I predict great things!
”Ruth Medjber, Photographer
About the 8 – 11 Winner: ‘A Day in Lesvos’ (by Tadhg)
“This was a compelling winner in this category and shows how art can tell stories on many levels. There is a lovely freedom to how Tadhg draws the courthouse and you can feel the light and heat from the way he describes the building with fluency and accuracy. It also tells a personal powerful story of what is happening in the courthouse from his perspective. Congratulations!”
Colin Martin RHA, RHA School & NCAD
“This is truly a remarkable drawing! The beautiful application of paint and pen, sophisticated use of colour, attention to detail and expressive mark making. It has it all! The judges were struck by the circumstances that brought Tadhg to Lesvos and that his artwork stands as an important document to highlight the story. Really exceptional work Tadhg, I look forward to seeing more of your art in the future!’
Tadhg Crowley, The Glucksman Museum, University College Cork
“Your line work is amazing and I like that you have used minimal colour. Your piece and your statement gave a good sense of what the day was like.”
Aoife Dooley, Illustrator & Author
“Tadhg, WOW! This is a MAGNIFICENT drawing, super congratulations. The line in your drawing, the detail on the building and the beautiful, subtle colour you use is so impressive. Huge Congratulations, I think you are very talented! I cannot wait to see more of your work.”
Amanda Coogan, Visual Artist
“At a time of stress and anxiety, this artist has managed to capture the calm of the situation, with great poise and strength. Art should have meaning, depth, feeling and agenda, and Tadhg has achieved all of that and more.
”Ruth Medjber, Photographer
About the 12-15 Winner: ‘Journey of Tranquility’ (by Zihan)
“Wow! Zihan has created such a sophisticated and skillful painting! This is a really exceptional artwork. The way the folds of the coat are captured, the incredible depiction of the reflection and the remarkable combination of styles, with realistic elements seamlessly sitting alongside expressive sections. This is Art!”
Tadhg Crowley, They Glucksman Museum, University College Cork
“Zihan’s painting of a figure lost in thought on a train journey is painted with real skill and facility. The way the reflections are painted in relation to stillness of the girl on the train is really accomplished. While it is very skilled, it has a thoughtful and still quality that reminds me of a contemporary Vermeer painting. You are left to imagine the world rushing by on the outside of the train. Congratulations!”
Colin Martin RHA, RHA School & NCAD
“This painting really stood out to me. I think how you’ve painted the reflection is incredible and shows some serious talent. I love it!”
Aoife Dooley, Illustrator & Author
“Zihan, this is an exceptional piece of art, huge congratulations. You are such an accomplished artist. I particularly love the composition. The double reflection in the window is wonderful, it allows me three perspectives on your beautiful journey of tranquility. Super congratulations and I look forward to seeing more of your work.”
Amanda Coogan, Visual Artist
“There’s an obvious skill and talent held by this young artist, but what is truly gorgeous is their ability to present us with a deep-rooted emotion in the eyes of her sitter.”
Ruth Medjber, Photographer
About the 16-18 Winner: ‘The Stratford Fox’ (by Georgia)
“Georgia, this is a stunning work of art. I was so excited to read it was about a legend and to see it painted on a wall in such a beautiful way. Super congratulations. The detail you describe of your making of the piece is really significant too. The thought process you put into this makes it outstanding.”
Amanda Coogan, Visual Artist
“The Stratford Fox is an artwork that demonstrates real ambition, an impressive creative vision and no end of skill. In design and application, it was a standout in this category. It is wonderful to think of the joy that Georgia’s artwork will bring for the students of Stratford NS in the months and years ahead. You should be very proud Georgia, I look forward to discovering more of your artwork in the future.”
Tadhg Crowley, The Glucksman Museum, University College Cork
“I love that this had a specific place on a wall near the school and made a legend of The Fox appear again in the tradition of an artist like Banksy. The way in which the warm sienna colours are contrasted against the greys of the wall really make it pop out and give a passer-by something to thing about. The idea that art can conjure and make real something that is elusive is a really good idea. Congratulations!”
Colin Martin RHA, RHA School & NCAD
“This really stood out to me because I know how hard it is to draw something realistic let alone on a wall! I could tell a lot of work went into this and I think you executed it brilliantly! I love it!”
Aoife Dooley, Illustrator & Author
“Street Art is not easy but this young artist has totally aced it. She has placed a really special piece in the perfect location, taking into consideration what others might want to see. Her technical knowledge is also far beyond her years.”
Ruth Medjber, Photographer
About the Group Winner: ‘Monster Mess’ (by An Chéad Bhliain (Rang Ealaín), Coláiste Ailigh, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal)
“A really fun and imaginative artwork! Mess Monsters is a colourful and joyful example of collaborative art making. I’ve no doubt that it will bring a smile to all who see it. The judges loved the innovative use of materials and the imaginative creations. Congratulations to everyone involved.”
Tadhg Crowley, The Glucksmans Museum, University College Cork
“I love the way this group has turned things that we may throw away into a charming installation. The way they are almost tumbling down the stairs toward you is really fun. They should have their own Pixar film! Congratulations!”
Colin Martin RHA, RHA School & NCAD
“I love how each student who took part, took a piece of the story that meant something to them personally and expressed this through art! The piece looks amazing and I love how they used different mediums throughout.”
Aoife Dooley, Illustrator & Author
“Rang Ealaín, what an incredible artwork. All the different characters have so much detail by themselves and in putting them all together this became a brilliant piece. I love your use of papier-mâché and recycled materials too. It is the colour that makes each piece pop. Huge congratulations to you all.”
Amanda Coogan, Visual Artist
“Such a fun and exciting project. Each individual artist’s own personality shines through in their monster but they also come together perfectly as a group.
”Ruth Medjber, Photographer
About The Creative Ireland Programme
The Creative Ireland Programme is a culture-based, all of government programme which places creativity at the centre of public policy. It is designed to promote individual, community and national wellbeing. The core idea is that participation in cultural activity drives personal and collective creativity. It is built around five pillars one of which is Creative Youth: enabling the creative potential of every young person in Ireland.
You can find out more at www.creativeireland.gov.ie