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2023 Young People of Bayside Art Exhibition

The theme for the 2023 exhibition was ‘Breaking the Mould’. Breaking the mould is about challenging norms, pushing boundaries, and celebrating diversity.

As an artist, it’s about taking risks and experimenting with new techniques, mediums, and forms. This year’s Young People of Bayside Art Awards challenges young people to break the mould and create something truly extraordinary, to let their creativity run wild and celebrate diversity through art.  

Image of an underwater world graphic image with text "Young People of Bayside Art Exhibition 2023 Breaking the Mould. Submissions open for young people aged 10 -25 from June 12th until July 21st. Enter at bayside.vic.gov.au/youthart" along with Bayside Youth Services Logo and FReeZA Victorian Government logo

Important Dates

 12 June - 24 July  Online submission of artwork - submissions closed  
 24 July - 28 July  Artwork drop-off period at Bayside City Council
 1 August - 2 November  Exhibition dates
 Early November  Celebration evening
 6 - 14 November  Artwork collection

 

Congratulations to the winners and runner up for Young People of Bayside Art Awards 2023

Younger years 10 - 13 category

First prize

Abby P, 11, ‘Winged Angel’, Pastel pencil

Description: This painting is about an angel and her feet are on heaven, so I wrote a poem about it to describe her patience.

“In the forest of my mind, a white cat I see,
With wings that stretch out, wild and free,
Her spirit soars just like my own,
Together we dance, we’re never alone.
As we celebrate life in all its form
Our souls intertwined, forever reborn.”

Judge’s comments: ‘Beautiful, imaginative artwork that uses the medium well. Great colours and frames nicely’

Drawing of a cat with wings - Young People of Bayside Art Awards 2023 - Abby P 10 to 13 year old winner

 

Younger years 10 - 13 category

Runner up

Willa D, 10, ‘Patterned Bird’, Watercolours, acrylic paint, chalk pastel

Description: The bird has layers of colours and stencilled patterns, making it one of a kind.

Judge’s comments: ‘Lovely use of bright colours with a relationship to nature and local animals. Well framed and great use of techniques’

Brightly painted bird on a branch.

 

Middle years 14 – 17 category

First prize

Elissa R, 16, ‘Space’, Oil on canvas.

Description: My work is about freeing yourself from the mould, to explore the daunting but beautiful wonders of the world.

Judge’s comments: ‘Interesting use of earth tones in a technically skilled oil painting. Composition is balanced and evoked a sense of wonder and mystery. A great scale, which also contrasted nicely with ‘the stare’.’

Paining of a dark and stormy landscape with clouds and a dead tree - Young People of Bayside Art Awards, Ellissa R 14 to 17 Award Winner

 

Middle years 14 – 17 category

Runner up

Ashton W, 17, ‘Apathy’, Pastels, charcoal and graphite on paper.

Description: My work 'APATHY', explores the complex and debilitating nature of trauma. The worn paper demonstrates the exhaustion experienced in breaking free from the constraints of trauma, and in contrast, the warmth held in the figure's eyes expresses hope.

Judge’s comments: ‘Sophisticated subject matter technically advanced and strong emotions communicated well through the chosen medium.’

Charcoal drawing of a face with elongated neck and bust - Young People of Bayside Art Awards 2023, Ashton W  - 14 to 17 year old runner up

 

Open age category 18 – 25 category

First Prize

Ellen C, 19, ‘Just Around the Corner’, Acrylic.

Description: This painting depicts my siblings rushing down the stairs to a waterfall that is around the corner of the painting in Western Victoria showing beauty is everywhere.

Judges comments: ‘Nicely balanced composition. Great use of pointelist technique and intimate scale drew us in. Nicely framed and relatable scenery.’

Pointelist paining of two people going down the stairs with trees in the background. Young People of Bayside Art Awards 2023, Ellen C 18 to 25 year old winner.

 

Open age category 18 – 25 category

Runner up

Maxim B, 21, ‘Manifestation Man’, Clay sculpture cast in resin with acrylic paint.

Description: My artwork represents the true power of manifesting your own reality, by recognising the present moment as a projection of your consciousness. It depicts a man creating himself within his own mind projecting who he is.

Judges comments: Interesting combination of materials and use of metallic colours. Strong relationship with art historical contexts and movements.”

Gold and black sculpture of a persons evolution into a superhero like figure. Young People of Bayside Art Awards 2023, Maxim B 18 to 25 Runner Up.

 

Special commendations: Emily McWilliam ‘Anguish’ and Mika Wilhelms ‘A Call for Neglect’

 

FReeZA Committee Choice Award Winner

Mac VDM, 17, ‘Leftover Ingredients of Childhood’, acrylic paint, gesso, masking tape.

Description: ‘Leftover Ingredients of Childhood’ represents all the different memories that are left with one after emerging from their childhood. the painting aims to bring emotion to the viewer and make one reminisce on their younger self.

Judge’s comments: ‘This painting really represents the theme ‘Breaking the Mould’. We love the use of colour, the textures, they come off the paining.’

Abstract paining with blues, yellows, reds and whites with a skull in a hard hat and a wheel. young People of Bayside Art Awards 2023. Mac VDM FReeZA Committee Choice Award Winner.

 

Community Choice Award Winner

Freddy H, 11, ‘Where am I?’, Pencil and alcohol marker.

Description: ‘My artwork is about a girl going from a black and white world into a colourful one.’

Grey lead pencil portrait sitting on top of hundreds of cartoon style caricatures. Young People of Bayside Art Awards 2023. Freddy H Community Choice Awards Winner.

 

Photo of the Awards night

 

Thank you to everyone who attended the fabulous Award Night on 2 November at Bayside City Council Corporate Centre.

50 young artists attended the event to receive their certificate from The Mayor and eight young artists walked away with an award. The evening featured brilliant performances from Hampton Primary School’s The Hampton Harmonies and the talented Khloe Evans.

Gallery of the awards night in this news story

View all the entrants' photo gallery on Facebook


View past winners:

2022 Young People of Bayside Art Exhibition winners

2021 Young People of Bayside Art Exhibition winners

2020 Young People of Bayside Art Exhibition winners


The Young People of Bayside Art Exhibition is a FReeZA event. FReeZA is a Victorian Government initiative that supports young Victorians to get involved in their community by planning and running drug, smoke and alcohol-free music and cultural events for other young people.

Boombox FReeZa Victorian Government Bayside Youth Services Bayside City Council logos

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2023 submission period now closed.