Eloise Flynn: Young Archie Finalist

Congratulations to Radford student Eloise Flynn, Year 11, who has been chosen as a 2022 Young Archie finalist in the 16–18 years group. Her work is a self-portrait, titled Raw.

The Young Archie competition started in 2013. The competition invites budding artists between the ages of 5 and 18 to submit a portrait. There are four age categories: 5–8 years, 9–12 years, 13–15 years and 16–18 years.

There were a record number of entries in 2022 (more than 2400). The 70 finalists will be exhibited at the Art Gallery of NSW, from 14 May to 24 August 2022.

Eloise’s artist statement:
This is my first ever self-portrait. To say it was a confronting experience would be an understatement. As a young artist, I often disconnect my ‘work’ from myself and not see it as my own but something separate. A disbelief, almost, that I have the ability to create something beautiful. This piece is my claiming. It is a combination of my favourite styles: refined, detailed realism and messy, emotional impressionism. The rough lines, paper seeping through leaves – it is almost ‘unfinished’, a work-in-progress, just like me. A piece of myself truly laid out, for the first time.