Youngsters do Cork proud in national art competition
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Cork artist Esme Murphy (6) with her winning artwork ‘My Favourite Things!’. Mac Innes PhotographyImage 2 of 5
A portrait by Maverick Cotter (18) from St Aloysius College, Carrigtwohill.Image 3 of 5
Artwork by Faith Keohane (18) from Skibbereen Community School.Image 4 of 5
‘Walk’ by Klara Machowska (7) of Ernest Bryll Polish School, North Monastery Road, who won 1st place in the 7-8 years category.Image 5 of 5
A piece by Tadhg Kinsella (12) from Glandore National School.A whopping seven talented Cork students have won top prizes at this year’s Texaco Children’s Art Competition.
In the 6 years and under age category, Esme Murphy (6), a pupil at Our Lady of Lourdes National School, Ballinlough, Cork city, won first prize for her work entitled ‘My Favourite Things!’. Competition judge, Irish visual artist, curator, and educator, Pauline O'Connell, described Esme’s artwork as “an exuberant and joyful composition, overflowing with colour and imagination”.
Ms O’Connell said: “Butterflies, teddy bears, presents, angels, and hearts fill the space in a rainbow-like celebration of happiness, suggesting a world where every day is bright and full of delight.”
In the 7-8 years age category, Klara Machowska (7), a pupil at Ernest Bryll Polish School, North Monastery Road, won first prize for her work ‘Walk’. Describing the artwork, Ms O’Connell said it was a “striking and memorable composition that demonstrates a strong sense of composition, character, and spatial awareness”.
“The dog’s watchful gaze suggests anticipation, as if waiting for a companion, perfectly echoing the title,” she added.
In addition, five Cork winners each won Special Merit Awards for artworks chosen by Ms O’Connell for their imagination, skill, and creativity. The five winners were Maverick Cotter (18) from St Aloysius College, Carrigtwohill; Grace Lee (14) from Coláiste Fionnchua, Mitchelstown; Camille Grosbois (12) from Scoil Naomh Eltin, Kinsale; Faith Keohane (18) from Skibbereen Community School; and Tadhg Kinsella (12) from Glandore National School.
No stranger to the competition, Tadhg Kinsella was a Special Merit Award winner last year too.
The Texaco Children’s Art Competition is regarded as the longest-running sponsorship in the history of arts sponsoring in Ireland, with an unbroken history that dates back to the first competition held in 1955. This year, as has been the case throughout its life, it has been a platform on which young artists from Cork and counties throughout Ireland have had their talents recognised and their creativity commended.