Isobel Bazar, aged 11, from Teven, near Ballina in northern NSW, won the competition with her portrait of her 93-year-old great-grandmother. The artwork was a spontaneous decision, sparked by a casual comment from her family members. “Her great-grandmother was sitting at the table, and we were just like, ‘Oh can we take a photo of you to paint in the Young Archies?’” Isobel recalled. Artistic Influences
Isobel’s father, an artist himself, introduced her to the world of art from a young age. However, she didn’t always appreciate his help. “He tried to teach me how to do realism better, we practised drawing spoons. I didn’t want to do it, so I just didn’t,” she said. This experience may have shaped her approach to art, focusing on her own unique style and creative expression.
Table of Contents
Generational Experiences
The winning artworks in the Young Archie competition shared a common theme of generational experiences. The judges praised the originality and creativity of the winning entries.
- Isobel Bazar’s portrait, My Hero, was a tribute to her 93-year-old great-grandmother, originally from Lithuania.
- Tasha Rogoff’s painting, featuring her grandfather, incorporated a humorous twist on his daily life, with “his three necessities”: Nutrigrain, trail mix, and laxative Osmolax.
- Logan Zhang’s portrait of his father was a colourful and engaging representation of their relationship.
- Jasmine Rose Lancaster Merton’s self-portrait was a powerful expression of her own identity and creativity.
Awards and Recognition
The Young Archie competition winners received recognition for their outstanding artwork. The prizes included a cash award and a feature in the Archibald Prize exhibition.
| Name | Age | Category | Artwork |
| Isobel Bazar | 11 | Main Category | My Hero |
| Tasha Rogoff | 15 | Main Category | A portrait of her grandfather |
| Logan Zhang | 6 | Five to Eight | Portrait of his father |
| Jasmine Rose Lancaster Merton | 16 | Main Category | Self-portrait |
Quotes from the Winners
- “I have this mantra that your room is a reflection of your mind, and I put pictures of everybody that I know and all of my art and just things that I love,”
- Jasmine Rose Lancaster Merton said about her self-portrait. “She said she decided upon a self-portrait, as “a tribute to myself… to commemorate myself and acknowledge to myself that I am here and strong and good”.
Feedback from the Judges
The judges praised the competition for its high level of technical ability and creativity. “Their technical abilities and skills are wonderful, but it is the originality, the ideas and the many ways that they express themselves through their art that makes them so special, arresting and eye-catching,” Victoria Collings, the Young Archie judge and family programs manager at the Art Gallery of NSW, said.
Reflections
The Young Archie competition is a celebration of young artists’ talents and creativity. The winners’ artworks serve as a testament to their unique perspectives and experiences.
- Isobel Bazar’s portrait, My Hero, showcases her great-grandmother’s cultural heritage and their close relationship.
- Tasha Rogoff’s painting, featuring her grandfather, highlights the importance of humor in capturing everyday life.
- Logan Zhang’s portrait of his father is a heartwarming representation of their bond.
- Jasmine Rose Lancaster Merton’s self-portrait is a powerful expression of her own identity and creativity.
These artworks demonstrate the power of art to capture the essence of our lives and relationships.