Community & Business
19 April, 2021
Tablelands top Young Archies
YOUNG local artists Gemma Fink and Mabel Shaw have been recognised for their talents in portraiture at the Cairns Art Gallery’s Young Archie’s Exhibition. The Young Archie’s stems from the Archibald Prize, a prestigious award that recognises portraiture from across all different skill sets and ideas.
By Ellie Fink
YOUNG local artists Gemma Fink and Mabel Shaw have been recognised for their talents in portraiture at the Cairns Art Gallery’s Young Archie’s Exhibition. The Young Archie’s stems from the Archibald Prize, a prestigious award that recognises portraiture from across all different skill sets and ideas.
The Young Archie’s then allows young people aged five to 18 to participate in a nationally recognised exhibition and begin their journey as professional artists. 10-year-old Mabel from Ravenshoe drew a self-portrait which placed as a finalist in the aged nine to 12 categories.
Mabel has been inspired by her artistic family her whole life and says she was very excited to be a finalist in this exhibition. “I drew a picture of myself in three days to submit to the Young Archie’s in time,” she said.
“My mum showed me the exhibition and I really wanted to join in, “I really liked doing it and I am really happy to be the only one at my school to be in it.”
Meanwhile 15-year-old Gemma from Koah began drawing her piece ‘David Attenborough’ as a way to wind down and was highly commended in the exhibition.
“I wanted to draw something unique of someone I really idolise,” she said. “David Attenborough is a good man, and he has inspired me through my life.
“It took me two days in total to finish off my pencilled artwork.” Both Mabel and Gemma’s portraits were drawn with pencil and reflected their talents as aspiring artists. Their artwork will be displayed in the Cairns Art Gallery until Sunday, May 2 with free entry. Bookings are essential and COVID-19 rules apply.
