His winning work, for which he receives a prize of €1,500, is entitled ‘Colm’ and is a painstakingly detailed portrait study in graphite pencil.
In choosing it as the overall prize winner in the Competition, Final Adjudicator and Chairperson of the judging panel – Irish visual artist, curator and educator – Pauline O’Connell described Daniel’s artwork as “an exceptionally accomplished and delicately rendered portrait of an aged man in pencil.
Completely self-taught, Daniel discovered his hidden talent for art on foot of receiving graphite pencils and an art easel as a gift last Christmas. The inspiration, and person, in his prize-winning portrait is a local family friend, Colm.
In winning the prestigious overall prize and first place in the Category A age group, Daniel and his fellow winners fought off the challenge from the young artists across Ireland who took part in the Competition.
Amongst them are the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners and the fifteen Special Merit awards recipients in each of seven categories for which prizes are presented, including a category reserved for children with additional needs.
Category A
In Category A (16-18 years), other top winners were Waterford student, Megan Hogan, who won second prize (€1,000) for her work entitled ‘Tommy’. Third prize (€750) went to Wicklow student, Amélie McAndrew for her work entitled ‘Beach Day’.
Category B
In Category B (14-15 years), first prize (€450) was won by Longford student, Abigail McCarthy while second prize (€350) went to Kildare student, Mae Cowper Gray. Third prize (€250) was won by Galway student, Aibhlinn Faulkiner.
Category C
In Category C (12-13 years), first prize (€350) went to Dublin student, Layla Baker for her artwork entitled ‘Grandad’s Retirement Year’, second prize (€250) was won by 12-year-old Clare student Emily Coffey and third prize (€200) went to Meath student, Karile Packeviciute.
Category D
In Category D (9-11 years), first prize (€250) has been won by 9-year-old Dublin student, Anna Solenova. Second prize (€200) was won by Meath student, Julian and third prize (€150) went to Meath student, Charlotte Fitzpatrick.
Category E
In Category E (7-8 years), first prize (€200) was won by Cavan student, Pierre Gaultier Swords. Second prize (€150) went to Cork student, Hazel O’Brien and third prize (€125) went to Clare student, Fiadh Skerritt.
Category F
In Category F (6 years and younger) – the youngest age group in the Competition – first prize (€150) was won by Amelia Murray, second prize (€125) went to Cork student, Donnacha Buckley Moloney and third prize (€100) was won by Dublin student, Hannah Daly.
Category G
In Category G, first prize of €1,500 was won by Dublin student Ryan Duffy, second prize (€1,000) went to Cork artist, Brian Daly and third prize (€200) was won by Louth student, Subinoy Bhakta.
Skill and enthusiasm
Addressing prize winners, parents and teachers present at a reception held in the Herbert Park Hotel, Dublin, James Twohig, Director of Ireland Operations at Valero Energy (Ireland) Limited, the company that markets fuel in Ireland under the Texaco brand, praised all of the winners for their skill and enthusiasm and thanked the many teachers from schools throughout Ireland who have given their support to the Competition throughout its 71-year history.
“Once again, from the large volume of entries received and the incredible prize-winning artworks on display today, it is encouraging to see that young people in Ireland continue to view art as a preferred medium through which to exercise their imagination and express their creativity, despite the many other attractions that vie for their attention,” said Mr. Twohig.
Ireland’s longest-running sponsorship
The Texaco Children’s Art Competition is popularly regarded as the longest-running sponsorship in the history of arts sponsoring in Ireland, with an unbroken history that dates back to the very first Competition held in 1955. This year, as has been the case throughout its life, it has been a platform on which young artists have had their talents recognised and a springboard on which many have risen to national prominence. Aside from giving students the space to give expression to their talent and skill, the Competition has focused a spotlight on the quality of art teaching in Irish schools and the importance that the educational establishment attaches to the subject of art education.
Image credit: Texaco – artwork by Daniel Walsh and Brian Daly.