“The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.” American philosopher and poet Ralph Waldo Emerson is credited with making the first use of this popular saying back in 1839, and it couldn’t be more apt as the Illawarra unveils budding young artist, Leon Do.
Aged 14, Leon is one of four children of Anh and Suzie Do, of the Northern Illawarra.
Anh Do is the well-known Vietnamese-born Australian author, actor, comedian and artist. His first book The Happiest Refugee won numerous awards, including the 2011 Australian Book of the Year, but in 2013 Anh decided to cut back on comedy and writing to focus on his painting.
It was an inspired decision. Anh is a four-time finalist in the prestigious Archibald Prize portraiture competition.
His 2014 painting of his father, 2019 portrait of artist George Gittoes and 2022 picture of musician Peter Garrett all made the final cut. His spectacular portrait of Aboriginal activist Jack Charles was the Archibald’s 2017 People’s Choice winner.
Ahn’s brilliant work with oils and his infectious personality gave rise to the hugely popular ABC TV series Ahn’s Brush With Fame, in which he concurrently interviews and paints a portrait of his guests, all prominent Australians.
A chip off the old block
Enter young Leon Do, who looks set to follow in his famous dad’s footsteps, having been selected as a finalist in the Young Archie’s, the junior extension of the famous Archibald’s. The Young Archie’s competition provides an excellent platform for talented young people to create moving and thought-provoking art.
Leon, a Year Nine student at TIGS, decided to enter a portrait of his brother, titled Xavier on a Tuesday.
“My painting captures my older brother Xavier on a Tuesday morning,” Leon said in his exhibition statement.
“Sometimes Xavier is up, some times he’s down; on this day he was in the middle.
A melancholic mood
“In my painting I have attempted to portray my brother’s slightly melancholy mood. I have chosen to paint my brother because he is always there for me no matter what. I love painting with oils and enjoy learning from my dad, the artist Ahn Do.
“I also like to learn by studying the works of artists like Vincent Van Gogh and Lucien Freud.”
While we watch and wait to see what the much-loved Ahn Do will do next, there’s equal excitement about what’s to come from the same household and the talented teenager, Leon.
The Archibald’s continue at the Art Gallery of NSW until September and the Young Archie finalists can be viewed in the entry to the main exhibition.