Turning the Young Archie Prize on its head

Connor P has been named a finalist for the 2024 Young Archie Art Prize. His piece, ‘A boy called Dean,’ was selected in the 16-18 year old category from over 4,000 entries for this prestigious national art competition.

Hung upside down to catch the audience’s attention, Connor shares that his intention for the artwork was to “shed light on the unseen and innocent parts of the teenage male stereotype. Despite looking tough, Dean is one of the most sensitive and caring people I know.” Connor shares. “I’ve hung it upside down to make the audience stop, and hopefully turn their head to better understand the work. To look and think differently about the teenage experience. To flip what we know on its head.”

“Being a finalist in the Young Archie has been an aspiration of mine since I began painting a couple of years ago, so to realise that is amazing.”

Connor was also recently announced as the winner of the 2024 Oxley College 2024 Portrait Prize.

Connor’s work, “A Boy Called Dean,” will be displayed alongside other Young Archie finalists at the Art Gallery of NSW from Saturday, 8 June until Sunday, 8 September.

The finalists’ works can be viewed online on the AGNSW website: Young Archie Finalists. Connor’s specific work can be found here.