A watercolour painting by Keilor year 12 student Mary Vlachos has been named a finalist in the Top Arts award and will be displayed at the National Gallery of Victoria from next month.
Ms Vlachos, who completed the project last year at Overnewton Anglican Community College, was inspired by Australian painter John Brack in coming up with her original piece, a re-imagining of one of his most famous artworks.
“John Brack created
Collins St. 5pm in 1955, showing Collins Street after work with everyone in dull colours and looking dreary,” she said.
“So I took that idea and did
Collins St. 1960, with lots of colour and much more vibrant.
“It took about a month, and it was my first time using watercolour, which was fun.
“I like to be hyper-realistic with my drawings – lots of small finicky details. That’s what I really enjoy doing.”
Entries in the Top Arts award feature outstanding artworks from 2016 by Victoria’s year 12 art students, with the best 47 pieces to be displayed at the NGV from March 23.
“I was over the moon when I found out I made the finals,” Ms Vlachos said.
“My mum has called everyone to come in and see it, so it’s pretty exciting.”
She said that while she enjoys her art, she expects it will be just a hobby when she finishes school.
“I’d like to showcase my art in some way but probably not as a career,” she said.
