Talent and intrigue at youth art show

UP-and-coming young artists are presenting their work at Barkly Square within the National Youth Week Art Exhibition.

Pieces by visual creatives of all levels and abilities between the ages of 12 and 25 are on show and for sale throughout the month, following an official opening last Monday evening.

An initiative of The Y Ballarat, BGT and Ballarat Community Health, the exhibition’s aim is to celebrate young people, their passions, and achievements.

Ballarat Specialist School year 12 and Vocational Education and Training visual arts student Dennis Cossens was awarded a highly commended honour by Art Gallery of Ballarat’s curator Kiri Smart for his piece, My shadow.

“I was immediately attracted to his work, it has really strong form, is extremely striking, and if it hadn’t have already been sold, I would have whipped it up,” she said.

Cossens has an additional piece in the exhibition, My demon, which like My shadow has been created with ink and charcoal. He enjoys expressing himself through visual art.

“I love art, creating details, and using different shades and tones,” he said.

“I’m excited for where my art can go in the future.”

Smart awarded the artistic achievement honour to Brodie Kamp for their “intriguing” submission.

“It features a skilfully drafted dead bird in a Parliament House cage,” she said.