Ollie Oei (12/MO) started working on a drawing last September inspired by the small things in life. He said, “often we look at the big picture, the majestic curve of a wave for example, and forget about the microscopic beauty of a single drop of water.”

It took Ollie nine hours to complete the pencil sketch ‘Small Part of a Wave’ recently selected in the gallery of works for the 2015 Mosman Youth Art Prize. When he started drawing he didn’t think he could complete the work until Newington Visual Arts teacher, Ms Marina Hinves, urged him to continue and enter the finished work in the well known competition during Art Club one afternoon — thereby giving him a deadline and a goal.

Ollie is currently a Year 12 Boarder at Edmund Webb Boarding House. Two weekends ago, the Boarders took a day trip to Mosman Art Gallery to see Ollie’s work hanging amongst other excellent youth art works, and also took the opportunity to have a quick dip at Balmoral Beach afterwards.

The Mosman Youth Art Prize is an annual exhibition hosted by Mosman Council. It is open to young artists between 12 to 21 years In 2014, Alexander Golovin (ON 2014) was awarded with a Highly Commended prize in the show.

Congratulations Ollie on this wonderful achievement!