Tweed Regional Gallery, Media Release, 22 January 2021

An incredible line-up of young artists will have their portrait skills on display at the Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre as winners and finalists of the Young Archie competition. 

The works will be displayed at the same time as the 2020 Archibald Prize Regional Tour which runs at the Gallery from Friday 22 January to Sunday 7 March 2021.

The Young Archie Competition was open to residents between the ages of five and 18 from the Tweed, Ballina, Byron and Kyogle shires as well as Lismore City and the Gold Coast and more than 120 entries were received. 

Gallery Director Susi Muddiman OAM said it was an amazing opportunity for young artists to be involved with such a prestigious prize.

“This showcases the talent we have in our region and the 24 finalists that are on display are of an incredibly high standard,” she said. 

The competition was judged based on merit and originality by renowned artist Victoria Reichelt, who also has her solo exhibition, Archive, on display at the Gallery until Sunday 9 May 2021.

Ms Reichelt said it was a great privilege to judge the Young Archie competition.

“I was blown away by the standard of the finalists, and really moved by the stories the artists told about their subjects,” she said.

“Many of the artists painted people who meant a lot to them personally and their incredible artworks reinforced to me the ability of art to capture and represent what is in our hearts, in a way that words often cannot.” 

The winners were announced at a special event today: 

• 5-8 years winner – Isla Moult ‘Dylan’, 6 years old, Burringbar
• 9-12 years winner – Layla McKee ‘The Beauty in a Rainbow’, 12 years old, Terranora
• 13-15 years winner – Lola Addison ‘Mimi’, 15 years old, Lismore
• 16-18 years winner – Anais Stewart ‘Dad’, 18 years old, Mullumbimby

For more information on the 2020 Archibald Prize Regional Tour, visit artgallery.tweed.nsw.gov.au