‘Sister Sophie’ right choice for Simon

Most girls will feel a sense of dread on learning their darling brother has drawn a picture of them — and then delighted in showing it off in public.

But the only emotion Sophie Minias is likely to be feeling today is pride.

Sophie is this morning facing the fact she is now an award-winning work of art, after a portrait of the girl drawn by her 16-year-old brother Simon won first prize at the 59th Texaco Children’s Art Competition awards.

The Polish-born fifth year pupil from Gorey Community School, Co Wexford, chose his work — ‘My Sister Sophie’ — as his entry into the prestigious underage competition.

And, despite the high-quality of entries from across the country, the team of judges found the “wonderfully composed and superbly executed” grey graphite work to be worthy of the 16-to-18-year-old category’s first prize.

Simon’s portrait, to be displayed at a world exhibition hosted by the International Foundation for Arts and Culture in Tokyo later this year, has earned the budding artist a cheque for €2,000.

It was among the most eye-catching works displayed at the annual awards, overseen by Arts Minister Dinny McGinley, in Dublin yesterday.

Among the other contenders for top prize in the highest age category were a “colourful study” of the Kingfisher bird by 17-year-old James O Neill from Friends School in Lisburn, Belfast, and a pencil work entitled ‘Creases of Age’ by 18-year-old Andrew Fulcher, from Castleknock College, Co Dublin.

In all, 21 budding artists from 26 counties were awarded in seven categories — including for competitors with special needs and age groups from six years up to 18.

Remarkably, for the second year running eight-year-old Helen MacRandal from St Michael’s Primary School in Belfast won the seven- to-eight-year-old category, with her work ‘A Normal Day At The Bird Bath’ catching attention.

Dublin was the mostsuccessful county in the annual awards, taking home seven prizes, while Cork, Carlow and Antrim received two winners positions each.

Both Cork winners, 15-year-old Caroline Roche from Loreto Secondary School (third prize in the 14-15 age group) and 16-year-old Joe Barry from Colaiste an Chraoibhin (first prize in the special needs group), are based in Fermoy.

All winners were awarded cash prizes ranging from €100 to €2,000.