Talent of young Limerick student recognised by Texaco Children's Art Competition

Claire O’Malley, of Catherine McAuley School, with her artwork and her mother Tara, brother Seán and father John

placeholder image — Claire O’Malley, of Catherine McAuley School, with her artwork and her mother Tara, brother Seán and father John

Clare O'Malley from Catherine McAuley school won a top prize in the Texaco Children's Art Competition

A 16-YEAR-OLD student from Catherine McAuley School has scooped the top prize in the Texaco Children's art competition.

Claire O'Malley won first prize for her work called The Amazing Tinks.

Her piece was described by final adjudicator and visual artist, curator and educator Pauline O'Connell as an “acrylic paint and wool collage combined in a confident and imaginative work. The dog, rendered in soft chenille wool, introduces a rich tactile quality, while its proud stance and turned head bring personality and presence to the composition.”

In the same category, 13-year-old Blake O’Brien, also from Catherine McAuley School, won third prize for an artwork entitled Year of the Bird, said by Ms O’Connell to be “an abstract composition that, at first glance, suggests an organic form, almost like a cross-section of a pomegranate, but on closer inspection, a white bird begins to emerge, rewarding careful looking.”

A further, three Limerick winners won special merit awards for artworks that Ms O’Connell noted “were imaginative and demonstrated high levels of skill and creativity”.

They are Camryn Franklin (17) from Ardscoil Rís; Victoria Ruskule (10) from Monaleen National School; and Michael O’Neill (16), another winner from Catherine McAuley School.

The Texaco Children’s Art Competition is in its 72nd year and since 1955, it's been giving young artists a platform for their creativity.

Limerick student, Blake O’Brien (age 13), from Catherine McAuley School, pictured with his prize-winning artwork entitled ‘Year Of The Bird’ with his mother Margaret, sister Jemma (17) and father John.