Technology makes world accessible in winning art work

29 March 2007

St Margaret’s College student Anna McLachlan is the winner of this year’s Christchurch Sister Cities Young Artists Competition.

Her entry, So Far, Yet So Close, was judged the winner as it "addressed the theme of the competition accurately and showed a mature attention to detail in its execution".

Anna says a computer mouse inspired her art work, leading to the idea of the world being accessible through technology. "To integrate countries of the world I used the words ‘so far, yet so close’ in different languages, to represent the mouse cord. My background is a map of the world which also integrates the countries."

Siobhan O’Brien, from Avonside Girls’ High School was second with her work Through the Façade, while Jennifer Henderson from St Margaret’s College was third with An Accessible World?

All entries in the competition, the theme for which was An Open and Accessible World for All, are on display at the Christchurch Art Gallery until 15 April.

Anna’s entry will next month be sent to Washington to the International Young Artists Showcase 2007, from which the works of 10 global finalists will tour the United States.

Last year’s winner of the Christchurch competition, Erin Jackson from St Margaret’s College, has her work, Global Citizenship – More than a Badge chosen as a world finalist.

The Sister Cities Young Artists Competition is open to young artists aged 13 to 18 and is designed to promote the Sister Cities programme and international friendships, while raising cultural awareness and promoting peace through mutual respect, understanding and co-operation.

It is organised by International Christchurch Youth and supported by Christchurch City Council.

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