A talented art student, Mia Mack, has been shortlisted for one of the prestigious Holt Festival Art prizes.
The 17-year-old is studying art A-Level at Yarm School Lower Sixth Form and submitted her oil painting ‘New Shoes’ for the Sworders Art prize for young talent aged 16 to 18.
Those shortlisted for the two Sworders Art prizes are then also entered into the Sir John Hurt Art Prize.
Read more: Teesside school ‘dedicated to putting students first’ celebrates double award win
Mia said the concept behind her entry was: “Inspired during lockdown by how much music can change how you feel, I created this piece to capture my usual reaction to hearing the song ‘New Shoes’ by Paolo Nutini – dancing.
“Given the subject of the song, I thought my favourite shoes should take centre stage and be in a musical environment, hence the drum-kit that lives in the garage where I took my reference photographs.
“I closely relate music with art and am fascinated by the impact that both can have on a person in a small space of time.”
The oil painting took Mia roughly 50 hours to…
