The winner of the 2D Category was Julien Soret, aged 15 from TreeHouse School in London. Dr Brendan Stuart Burns, a judge of the competition and twice winner of the National Eisteddfod Gold Medal in Fine Art and lecturer at The University of Glamorgan, commented that Julien’s painting, entitled ‘The Bear’, was full of intense and rich brushwork, vibrant colour and reflected the painters passion and individuality.
Esther Whitney, Aged 24 from Birmingham City University won the 3D Category prize for her sculpture ‘A Thimble Full’. Esther’s work was inspired by her own difficulties with social interaction, with the thimbles representing that a thimble full of relationships can be enough for young people with an ASC. The award was presented by Lucinda Bredin, Editor at Bonhams Magazine and member of the judging panel, who complimented Esther and the other finalists on the “detail, depth and complexity of their work.”
The Digital Category was won by Sam Fitzgerald, aged 18 from St Cenydd School in Caerphilly. The judges described Sam’s entry, entitled ‘Angel’ as having a haunting and metaphysical quality.
Sam’s mother, Lindsay Fitzgerald, commented: “It is fantastic and inspirational to see that Sam's skills have been recognised and that unnecessary barriers have been removed to enable his photography to be celebrated in public for all to see and enjoy."
Huw Morgan OBE, Chief Executive of Autism Cymru and one of the judging panel said: “More events like this are needed to challenge the prejudice and stigma and to celebrate young people with an ASC.”
The prize for the Teacher’s Choice Award was presented by Darren Jackson, Principal of Beechwood College to Alexander Fox-Robinson, aged 15 from Pembroke School, Pembroke for his pencil drawing ‘The Blitz’.
Darren commented: “The large number of entries and the high quality of work, has demonstrated how art and creativity programmes transform the lives of people with ASC who have previously struggled to express themselves.”
Chris Lovell, Clinical and Business Development Director for Ludlow Orbis said: “We are committed to building on the success of Create! next year and will extend the categories to encourage more young people to enter the competition to build on their talents and creativity.”
The finalists’ work was on display at The Old Library, Cardiff from Monday July 25 until Sunday August 7, before moving to London.
