Regional Award - Senior West Winner

The artist: "My artwork ‘Beneath the Mask’ portrays the theme of social deceit through the use of masks as a prop and lighting as a tool to create atmosphere. While I chose this theme early in the year, my ideas truly began to take shape after I’d taken photos of my older sister holding two brown masks I’d gotten from a craft store. We had an adjustable lamp, which allowed me to explore lighting and with my sister’s help, manipulate it in these photos to convey my theme. I decided to use watercolour for this piece because
I loved the painterly effect that came from building up layers. I started by sketching on watercolour paper and then stretching the paper. I then did a light green colour wash over the paper and began to build up on that. I blocked out colours with broad brushstrokes to start, and as the development of my piece progressed, I moved towards more meticulous brushstrokes to capture smaller details. It was a careful process, slowly darkening the tones of shadows to achieve the look of dramatic lighting, but it proved to be worth it as the piece finally came together. To complete the piece, I refined smaller details like the eye using coloured pencil.
I feel delighted at winning this prestigious award and proud of this achievement."