Centenarian Portrait Project by Teenagers

 

A good news story to start the new year!

Shirin, Ripley and Jasmine participated in the Centenarian Portrait Project by Teenagers, an intergenerational community led project where teenage artists profile centenarians culminating in the creation of a memorable portrait and art exhibition held at the Wilkinson Gallery (Claremont Showgrounds) on 17th December 2022. The project was an opportunity to meet a centenarian for the first time and a chance for centenarians to share their life stories. The teenage artists visited their 100-year-old subjects' numerous times creating sketches and taking photos to establish a portrait approach. Following these get-to-know-you sessions the artists returned to their studios to complete their portrait.

 

The exhibition was a spectacular event, an emotional assembly of months of work. It included guest speaker and portrait artist from Perth, Andy Quilty. He spoke to the teenage artists about being intuitive. Painting with their gut feeling rather than thinking about it too much, and what it means to work with disadvantaged groups. Quilty works from UWA, assisting veterans through art therapy. Post exhibition the portraits are gifted to the centenarians and their families in person by their respective teenage artist.

 

Congratulations to the students involved and Jasmine who also won the People Choice Award.

 

The culmination of the top 100 works from across Australia will be exhibited in May 2023.