The Illawarra Grammar School (TIGS) student Leon Do has won the 13- to 15-years category in the Young Archie 2024 competition for a portrait of his brother, titled Xavier on a Tuesday.
Fourteen-year-old Leon – the son of Wombarra artist Anh Do – was one of four talented young people acknowledged at a ceremony at the Art Gallery of NSW on Saturday, July 27.
His family – including older brother Xavier – attended the prize-giving.
“My painting captures my older brother Xavier on a Tuesday morning,” Leon wrote in his exhibition statement.
“Sometimes Xavier is up, some times he’s down; on this day he was in the middle. 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."
This year's Young Archies attracted a record number of entries, with 4000 artworks received from across Australia.
Meriam Mer artist Grace Lillian Lee and the Art Gallery’s family programs manager, Victoria Collings, judged the competition, which recognised 70 finalists across four age categories.
Grace Lillian Lee said: "Art is an opportunity for young people to celebrate who they are and share their stories. To this year’s Young Archie entrants, I really hope that you continue to be inspired, persevere and enjoy the practice of creating."
The four Young Archie 2024 winners are:
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5–8 years category: Ella Lee Fowler, 6, Melbourne, VIC, for her portrait of her friend
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9–12 years category: Hollie Au, 10, Northmead, NSW, for her portrait of her art teacher
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13–15 years category: Leon Do, 14, Wombarra, NSW, for his portrait of his brother
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16–18 years category: Leah Blatchford, 18, Glenhaven, NSW, for her portrait of her mum
The four winners each receive a cash prize of $200 from ANZ, an art hamper, a family pass to a ticketed exhibition at the Art Gallery and an Archibald Prize 2024 catalogue.
The Young Archie 2024 exhibition is free and on display now at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, alongside the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes 2024.
Read more: Like father, like son: Leon Do follows in his famous father’s footsteps
