Amy’s ‘The Bond’ secures win in prestigious Texaco Art Competition
Mitchelstown’s Amy O’Brien has been announced as a winner at the 69th Texaco Children’s Art Competition, with her art piece ‘The Bond’. The 17-year-old Presentation Secondary School student took second place in the 16-18 age category, where first prize was scooped by Charley Bell of the Methodist College in Belfast, with her piece ‘Curiosity’.
Ms O’Brien was a finalist in a competition where thousands of entries are received each year, and was the proud recipient at an awards ceremony held in the Morrison Hotel in Dublin last week. Attending with her family and art teacher Ms Linda Evans, Amy received a €1,000 cash prize and €150 worth of art materials.
Speaking with The Avondhu, the Presentation Secondary student said she was shocked by the news of her win, for her acrylic painting ‘The Bond’.
“I was shocked when I heard the news! Each year I am blown away by the creativity, skill and standard of work of the Texaco entrants and never expected my painting to win such an honourable prize. I am so excited to be recognised amongst such incredible young artists,” she said.
THEME OF LOVE
The artist’s chosen subject was a still-life of objects that are personable to her, and reflect on the reality and nature of love.
“My painting is a sentimental, detailed still life depicting a carefully chosen array of objects that surround my everyday life. These include my grandmother’s wedding ring, which was left to me a year ago, as well as a series of romantic novels including the classic, ‘ Romeo and Juliet’. I picked the ring and these books because I wanted to compare the dramatic love described in stories to the eternal, solid love to be found in real life.
“After completing the painting, I entitled it ‘The Bond’ - a fitting name that refers to both the physical object of the ring and to the theme of love. I arranged the items amongst blue, fabric drapery to add depth to the background. This piece is an acrylic on canvas.”
Ms O’Brien’s school, Presentation Secondary School in Mitchelstown, said that they were thrilled with their student’s accomplishment.
“This is an incredible life long achievement for Amy and is testament to her incredible artistic ability. In the words of NCAD professor Gary Granville, this achievement will follow you for the rest of your life; never underestimate the magnitude of winning such a prestigious award. Everyone in Presentation and beyond is very proud of Amy’s achievement.”
INTERNATIONAL FAIR
It was also revealed last Thursday that Amy’s work will be exhibited at the International Arts Festival in Tokyo’s National Art Centre in August, alongside those of three other students: the first place winner Charley Bell, as well as those of Wexford’s Sarah McLoughlin (3rd) and Megan Hogan from Ballygunner in Waterford.