Archies achievement for Lev
Five-year-old Lev Vishnu Kahn has been awarded the prize in the 5–9-year category in the Young Archie for his self-portrait .
With more than 2400 entries, the Young Archie was always going to be a hotly contested competition. This is the competition’s 10th year, and it runs alongside the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman prizes at the Art Gallery of NSW.
For 2022, artists between the ages of five and 18 were invited to submit a portrait of someone who is special to them or plays a significant role in their lives.
For five-year-old Lev Vishnu Kahn’s family, it was a pretty special moment seeing his self-portrait awarded the prize in the 5–9-year category.
“I drew myself because I’m special to myself,” Lev wrote in his artist description. “I’m not so interested in things to do with space or planets, like other kids. I like animals, nature and Earth things. Space holds the Earth. I’m more of an Earth boy … I had no idea I was capable of creating something so beautiful.”
Lev’s portrait is bright and colourful, drawn in texta, featuring a rainbow serpent and an Argentinian flag.
Of the record number of entries, 70 finalists were chosen for display, the largest number ever exhibited at the Art Gallery of NSW.
Victoria Collings, who assessed the entries alongside guest judge Sri Lankan-born contemporary artist Ramesh Mario Nithiyendran, said the finalists were all unique in their own way.
“Ultimately we picked works that really spoke to us and showed personality, sensitivity with their use of materials and just a unique kind of imaginative response,” she told AAP.
Lev comes from creativity. His parents are both musicians, poets and actors, and his father, Nadav writes and performs in English, Hebrew and Hindi.
As guest judge, Nithiyendran described Lev’s artwork as a “standout work”.
“This is an amazingly inspired self-portrait that charmingly and sensitively gestures to a young person’s connection to themselves and the environment. It’s energetic, exuberant and layered. There are webs of detail that bridge imagination with observation,” he said. “I hope Lev continues to think and make art so freely!”
When asked by Seven News if he wants to be an artist when he grows up, Lev thought for a moment, before answering very honestly and confidently, saying, “but I already am an artist”.
The Young Archie finalists and honourable mentions will be exhibited until August 24.
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