Photo: from left to right
Karin Hotchkin (Judge), Marilyn Keys (Judge), Claudia Gribble, Sarah Liebeck, Olivia Wake, Leah Addison, Gordon Mitchell (Judge)

This theme has a twofold meaning. Illuminate relates to space; time; the future of young people, bringing light to young people, and shining bright, and positive mental health. Djoondal Djoomba was inspired by the 'Carers of Everything' Nyoongar Dreamtime story of country, which is about the star woman and spirits coming from darkness to light.

Mayor John Giardina said, “The Young Artist Awards are run by the City of Kalamunda and is all about showcasing and celebrating emerging young artists in our community. We’re often referred to as an artist’s mecca and with such amazing local talent in even the youngest generation, it’s not hard to see why.”

The Exhibition was open to young people aged between 10 and 25 who live, work, study, volunteer or visit the City of Kalamunda. All entrants were eligible for a range of Awards and a total prize pool of $1500. Each year the competition draws an abundance of high calibre entries, making a hard task for judges and local artists Gordon Mitchell, Karin Hotchkin and Marilyn Keys.

During the official opening, Judges awarded Anika Zonta Albillos’ (13) painting, Wanting, the title of Best Piece for the 10 to 14 year old age group. The 15 to 25 aged group was taken out by Sarah Liebeck for her painting Warrina.

Claudia Gribble (12) received a Highly Commended for her painting The Waves Lay Deep in the Ocean, as did Briony Bray (17) for her drawing Cockatoo. Olivia Wake (16) received the award for Best Interpretation of Theme for her photograph Never Stop Looking Up.

Amongst the competition stood out Leah Addison’s (17) painting Water Spirit, wowing both the crowds and judges. Leah received the overall prize for the night, taking out the 2018 Emerging Artist Award.  

The People’s Prize remained open until exhibition ended on Sunday 26 August 2018. Anyone that visited the Young Artist Awards at the Zig Zag Gallery could vote for their favourite piece, which went in the towards the People’s Prize. The winner with 51 votes being received, was Sara Liebeck for her painting Warrina.

For opening times or to find out more, contact the City of Kalamunda on 9257 9999 or email enquiries@kalamunda.wa.gov.au.

     

Winning Pieces:

Category & Age	Details
Best Piece (15 - 25 yrs)	WARRINA by Sarah Liebeck Age: 16 Medium: Painting This piece of artwork is painted in acrylic. It is of a young girl who is interested in the world around her, watching, learning and looking for the truth. Relation to Theme: The girls name is Warrina which means 'to give' or 'giving'. Caring and giving to others brings light and joy into their lives as well as ours. Looking after the land, the animals and each other truly creates a sustainable and promising future for the generations to come.
Best Piece (10 - 14 yrs)	WANTING by Anika Zonta Albillos Age: 13 Medium: Mixed Media The painting is inspired by my dog Neville. He is a Neapolitan Mastiff cross Dalmatian. The background is made up of green rectangles and squares whereas the main focus uses more organic shapes.
2018 Emerging Artist Award	WATER SPIRIT by Leah Addison Age: 17 Medium: Painting I find water to be my calm place. This image portrays a woman bathing in the fading daylight, as she herself fades with it. Relation to Theme: The figure itself is luminous. The light is guiding her natural form through the water. It is spiritual representing inner peace with her body.
Best Interpretation of Theme	NEVER STOP LOOKING UP by Olivia Wake Age: 16 Medium: Photography I am a selenophile (a person who loves the moon). As a photographer, the moon is one of my top favourite things to photograph. I find the moon quite mesmerising. As I look at the moon and the vivid light coming off it, it makes me feel happy and calm as it takes my mind off things. Relation to Theme: The moon is the brightest object in the sky. As the moon Illuminates its light in the night sky, it brings light to everyone, for everyone to see and to not be in the dark, to break free from feeling anxious, upset and lonely to feeling positive and having a good mental health.
Highly Commended	COCKATOO by Briony Bray Age: 17 Medium: Drawing This cockatoo in a portrait form has been created to represent the proud bird in Kalamunda. It has been drawn in detail to show all the beautiful features of this bird that most people will be familiar with because of the abundance here in Kalamunda. Relation to Theme: This piece showcases one of the birds in Kalamunda and illuminates their beauty in a portrait which can often be overlooked because of their other tendencies to be loud and create a mess which can reflect badly on them.
Highly Commended	THE WAVES LAY DEEP IN THE OCEAN by Claudia Gribble Age: 12 Medium: Painting My painting represents the ocean. It's how I see the many different colours and textures. It is about the different emotions I feel when I look into the ocean.
PEOPLE'S CHOICE	Voting closed on Sunday 26 August 2018 51 votes received WARRINA by Sarah Liebeck Age: 16 Medium: Painting This piece of artwork is painted in acrylic. It is of a young girl who is interested in the world around her, watching, learning and looking for the truth. Relation to Theme: The girls name is Warrina which means 'to give' or 'giving'. Caring and giving to others brings light and joy into their lives as well as ours. Looking after the land, the animals and each other truly creates a sustainable and promising future for the generations to come.