News
Art & Design student's painting selected for Royal Academy Young Artists’ Summer Show
Published: 9 June 2020
A painting by nineteen year old Belfast Met Art and Design student Ethan Neill ,has been selected for the Royal Academy Young Artists’ Summer Show, which opens online from 12 July and will be exhibited at the Royal Academy in London later this year. Ethan's portrait of his Grandad was selected out of over 17,700 entries.
Ethan has just completed Year 1 of the BTEC Extended Diploma in Art and Design (moving into Year 2 in September). When the Royal Academy put out a call for their Young Artists’ Summer Show earlier this year, Ethan’s painting was submitted by Belfast Met lecturer Mark Chambers, who said, “Ethan is a particularity gifted Level 3 student who has moved up from Level 2 at the College, and is developing a strong use of visual language in his work. So this will be a great boost to his confidence, and we are all delighted for him.”
Ethan Neill said on hearing the news, “I was really pleased when I heard that my painting was selected for the Royal Academy Young Artist’s Summer Show. My Grandad who inspired my piece is a very special member of our family. He is 86 years of age, and continues to give me advice and support. During this past year he has overcome a serious illness which resulted in 3 major surgeries and 7 months in hospital. He overcame all this with amazing amounts of courage and bravery. It was while he was in hospital that I photographed him for my painting.
“My lecturer has been really supportive, and this success has inspired me to achieve my goal of continuing to create art after my course.”
Mary Ealden, Project Manager Young People and Teachers, Royal Academy of Arts said, “The Royal Academy is delighted to host the Young Artists’ Summer Show for a second year. We were overwhelmed by over 17,700 submissions - testament to the importance of art and creativity in young people’s lives, now more than ever. Thank you to the many schools and households across the country who have nurtured and sustained young artists in this challenging time. The standard of the work was extremely high and we congratulate every young artist who entered the competition.
“The final selection of works can be viewed in the online exhibition, opening on 12 July, and in the onsite exhibition here at the RA (dates for this are to be confirmed). We would also like to thank our sponsor Robin Hambro, whose vision and generosity has made this exhibition a reality.”
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