A Torquay student has won a national competition for her artwork based on helping inspire people to have important conversations during R U OK Day.
Brigid Ward, 13, was announced on September 6 as one of the 2024 R U OK National Student Art Competition’s five winners ahead of its National Day of Action held on September 12.
The Iona College Geelong student said her winning artwork represented what meaningful conversations meant to her.
“Healthy conversations is about connecting and checking in with people in your everyday life, such as school peers, neighbours, family and any communities you’re involved with,” she said.
The inaugural competition celebrated the creativity of Year 7 and 8 students across the country, with the winning Creative Legends selected from a group of 16 finalists.
R U OK chief executive Katherine Newton said she was “thrilled by the calibre of entries” received during the competition.
“It’s incredibly inspiring to see our younger generation embracing the R U OK message,” she said.
“And portraying it in a way that showcases the simple steps people can take to make a difference in someone’s life.”
Artworks were judged on artistic skill, imaginative storytelling and how well the R U OK message was conveyed in the piece.
Pitjantjatjara artist and competition judge Sally Scales said she found it “very hard to judge” the competition as the “artworks were amazing”.
“Painting has always been a meditation experience for me, a time to destress and relax. It allows us to express our feelings and emotions and to tell stories,” she said.
