A local Plainland student was honoured at last night's Independent Education Union – Queensland and Northern Territory (IEU-QNT) Excellence in Art and Design Awards.
Cody Ingram from Sophia College, Plainland topped the Years 7 and 8 category with his artwork, titled Growing Up with Big Brother.
Art and Design Awards reviewer Pete Whittred said Cody's piece was provocative and well-handled, involved a variety of materials.
"A story composition and thoughtful approach to the theme, dealing with the changes we have all seen in recent years as the cities grow up around us," Pete said.
In addition to receiving an Award of Excellence, Cody was honoured with the Harriet Hunter Memorial Award, established in memory of a gifted student whose life was tragically taken in the 1999 South-East Queensland floods.
The Harriet Hunter Memorial Award winner is selected from all highly commended and Award of Excellence entries across Pre-school to Year 12 and was reviewed by Adrian and Sue Hunter.
Adrian said Growing Up with Big Brother was fresh and humorous in its interpretation of the theme.
"It is a narrative about survival - the magpie features like a totem, confident, alert and adapting to a challenging futuristic landscape, demonstrating the same qualities a young person might need growing up today," Adrian said.
"This concept has been skilfully expressed through the composition and the handling of the medium," he said.
Congratulations must also be given to Khloe Blake, another student at Sophia College in Plainland, who received a Highly Commended Award in the First Nations art category for her entry.
The annual Art Awards were established in 1994 to promote and encourage artistic students and celebrate their flair for creativity.
At last night's presentation, held at the Queensland Multicultural Centre in Brisbane, Awardees' artworks were displayed in an exhibition and recipients were presented with certificates and a cash prize.
IEU-QNT Branch Secretary Terry Burke said the reviewers were wowed by the quality of the over 600 submissions across all age groups in response to the 2024 theme of 'Growing Up'.
"The reviewers commented on the high standard of entries and the varied and creative interpretations that entrants brought to this year's theme," Mr Burke said.
"Our union established the Awards to promote and encourage artistic students and celebrate their flair for creativity.
"Art is a very important area of learning in schools, and IEU-QNT is proud to support the artistic talent of students and staff in the Queensland and Northern Territory non-government sector," he said.
