THE work of David Hockney is the theme behind this year's 'Ulster in Bloom' schools art competition,Translink has announced.
Famous for works such as 'The Splash', which sold for £2.6 million at auction last year, David is arguably Britain's greatest living artist having produced iconic imagery across a range of visual media for five decades.
Under the theme 'Making a Big Splash', Translink is inviting year 8, 9 and 10 pupils to get inspired by the work of the father of British Pop Art. Where Hockney cast his eye across the LA cityscape, pupils should take their favourite view of Northern Ireland and give it a Hockney twist.
Following the high standard of last year's competition and having uncovered so many outstanding junior artists, Lynda Shannon, Translink's communications manager, is confident that this year's challenge will unveil many more grand masters in the making.
"The Ulster in Bloom schools' art competition is a great way to recognise Northern Ireland's young artistic talent. With the opportunity for students to showcase their masterpieces – not to just a local audience in Great Victoria Street and Central Station but to a global one through Translink's website – we hope even more schools will decide to take part.
"Each year, the artistic standard gets higher and higher with some fantastic creative entries. We hope this year's Hockney theme continues to be as much an inspiration as our surrounding local landscapes.
"Similar to the Ulster in Bloom floral challenge which took place over the summer months, the schools' art competition is a great way to raise environmental awareness among NI's younger generation."
The closing date for entry is Friday, December 14, with great travel prizes for winning pupils' classes and their families up for grabs in each of the four categories - Years 8, 9, 10 and Special Schools.
Details and rules of the competition have been issued to all secondary-level schools. Further competition information is available by contacting Morrow Communications on 028 9039 3837 or by logging on to www.translink.co.uk
All entries should be no larger than A3, should clearly display the pupil's name, school and year group on the reverse and be posted to Morrow Communications, Hanwood House, Pavilions Office Park, Holywood, BT18 9JQ.
