Antrim pupil crowned overall winner in Texaco Children’s Art Competition

Charley Bell, who attends Methodist College Belfast, has been crowned the overall winner in this year’s Texaco Children’s Art Competition.

It’s the second year in a row the 17-year-old student has won the coveted Ireland-wide award.

Her winning work, for which she receives a prize of €1,500, is entitled ‘Anticipation’ — a painstakingly detailed portrait study in coloured pencils — and also picked up the top honour in the 16-18 age category.

In choosing Charley’s piece as the overall prize winner, final adjudicator and chairman of the judging panel Gary Granville, professor emeritus of education at the National College of Art and Design, described Charley’s artwork as “an exceptionally well-executed portrait that tells of an ‘aged serenity’, of a full life with a wealth of experience and wisdom”.

“There is a subversive energy, irrepressible optimism and underlying joy in the image that belies the stereotypical portrayal of ageing,” Prof Granville added.

“This wonderful work of art well deserves the top award in this year’s Texaco Children’s Art Competition.”

No stranger to the competition, Charley was also honoured with Special Merit Awards in both 2020 and 2021.

The middle child of three, Charley first discovered her passion for art at a young age and went on to develop an ability to express herself more through her artworks as she progressed through grammar school.

From an artistic family, older sister Carrie has won numerous Special Merit Awards in the competition, whilst younger brother Rory has received a commendation. With one year left to complete in school, Charley believes art will play some role in her future.

The inspiration for her winning portrait came via the discovery of a photo of an old lady.

“I like working with portraits, and when I saw this photo, the detailed expression on the woman’s face jumped out at me. I knew it would be a challenging and interesting artwork to take on,” Charley explained.

Also among those honoured for their work was another Antrim student, Zara Craig (16), a pupil at Ballyclare High School.

Zara earned second place (€1,000) in Category G (for young adults and children with special needs) for her work entitled ‘L’Ombre’.

Also a multiple previous winner, Zara won first prize in the same category in 2022, second prize in 2021 and Special Merit Awards in 2020 and 2019.