The work of two budding artists from counties Tyrone and Fermanagh is being showcased in an exhibition in Dublin.
A portrait by Lucy Young (19) from Omagh of her grandmother and a painting created by Molly Gallagher (9) from Enniskillen, in which she used her father's head as a canvas, were selected to be part of the ‘This is Art Launch’ at the RHA Gallery.
It is an exhibition of artwork from RTÉ and Creative Ireland's Digital art competition for young people across the island of Ireland, aged up to 18.
The new exhibition displays a selection of the 15,000 entries received since the competition was launched in 2021.
Through QR codes beside artists' names, visitors to the exhibition will get a unique insight into each piece by being brought directly to the artist’s statement which describes in their own words what inspired them to produce the piece.
Three different themes are on display at this exhibition from the past three years, the organisers said.
In 2021, the theme was “This is Now” which invited young artists to respond creatively to lockdown.
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The following year, the theme was “This is Extraordinary” with artworks submitted painting a picture of the concerns of young people in Ireland following the pandemic.
In 2023, the theme was “This is Inspiration” where the "talent and creativity of our young people could run wild".
Kevin Bakhurst, director-general of RTÉ, said it "celebrates creativity among young people across this island and has been an important part of RTÉ's support of our youngest artists over the last three years".
Catherine Martin, Irish minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, said: “Many congratulations to the talented young people who have submitted 15,000 artworks and participated in This is Art! since it first launched in 2021.
"This exhibition is a fantastic reflection of the boundless creativity and enthusiasm of our young citizens.
"It is wonderful to be able to bear witness to it and I hope that they will continue to express themselves so eloquently for many years to come."
