Again this year the judges were thrilled to see artworks from all over the country. There were 433 entries from 38 schools.

The winning entries were sensitive and fresh responses to one or more of the sixteen artworks in the Art speaks: Japanese education kit. St Peter’s Anglican College Year 9 class submitted a show stopping piece where the images in the kit had been reinterpreted through the medium of linocut prints. The Teapot of Paper Throwing Stars” by Lisa Wei (North Sydney Girls High School Year 8) is another outstanding example of the combination of study of the artworks and Japanese language with artistic application. The many contemporary versions of goblins including pencils and jelly babies from Ainslie School years 5 and 6 were a well executed and humorous response to “Night procession of 100 goblins”.

Some beautiful artworks could not be awarded prizes because they did not meet the criteria of including an element of Japanese language. Please remember for next year that criteria could be met by something as simple as the artist’s signature in hiragana.

Thank you students, teachers and family helpers. You really made the art ‘come alive’!