We acknowledge the Gadigal of the Eora Nation, the traditional custodians of the Country on which the Art Gallery of NSW stands.

Finalist: 16-18 year olds

Lily Nicholson Happy days

Age 16

16-18 year olds

My mum beams when she’s happy. I love the way her green eyes sparkle and her cheeks glow. Her goofy laugh and childish sense of humour make people smile. I admire my mum because she’s so selfless. She tries hard every day to help other people, often putting them before herself. I’m most happy when I see my mum happy, because she so deserves it. At the beach on a hot summer’s day is where my mum is completely in her element, where you can see her joie de vivre. I wanted to showcase that in my piece.