Next Gen Portrait Prize Winners 2022

Preschool – Year 2 Prize

Cooper Freeman, Age 6 
My brother Lennox that has long hair

Lennox is my younger brother. 
He’s one of my favourite brothers. He comes up with really good games!

Year 3 – Year 6 Prize

Olivia Pietsch, Age 10 
Self portrait 
2022

Year 7 – Year 12 Prize

Ashon Behrens, Age 16 
Self portrait 
2022

The Mudgee Art House Courageous Award

Sophie Marshall, Age 14
My pops painting
2022

My pop who is a great person to know.

The paint and the colour of the joy and happiness in him showing how the person is feeling and showing emotion.

The People's Choice Prize

MIA BAGGETT
'The Gaze of Conflict' 2022
Acrylic on linen overlay 

The Gaze of Conflict involves three portraits using acrylic paint on linen fabric overlay.

I'm exploring the destruction that war has on innocent individuals of all ages. The portraits display a variety of Afghanistan individuals witnessing and examining the corruption and fighting of the Taliban army taking over their country.

I was mesmerised by the idea of seeing into the eyes of the beholder in contrast to the daily life in Australia.  I focused on the eye reflections, which consists of different historic war related artworks such as Goya's 'The Third of May', Picasso's 'Gurnica - The Lightbulb' and Quilty's 'High Tide Mark'.  

My personal connection is one of passion.  I wanted to express the emotional aspect through eyes and facial features of the frightened individuals.

The War destroyed lives, the economy, public health and infrastructure. 92% of the population faced food shortages and poverty whilst at least 3 million children suffered from malnutrition. 

It is estimated 387,072 civilians died from violent deaths as a result of this war.