Haomiao Xu

Snatches of Springtime, 2026

Age 15

Gouache and pencil on canvas

‘This self-portrait depicts me relaxing on an uncharacteristically sunny Irish afternoon. On this day, I noticed how a rare day of Irish sunshine persuades people to pause in their busy lives, because the occurrence is precious and not to be wasted.

The light I painted dappled over half my face represents the hope and joy that comes with spring’s arrival, and the way the sunshine eclipses winter’s bleakness. Overall, I wanted to capture the way complex feelings like hope, serenity, and relief brought by changing seasons can all blend together to form a deceptively simple piece of art.’

Blaiseadh den Earrach, 2026

Aois 15

Gouache agus peann luaidhe ar chanbhás

‘San fhéinphortráid seo tugtar léargas orm féin agus mo scíth á ligean agam ar thráthnóna níos grianmhaire ná mar a bheifí ag súil leis in Éirinn. Ar an lá áirithe seo, thug mé faoi deara go gcuireann lá grianmhar fánach in Éirinn brú ar dhaoine stop a chur leis an saol gnóthach, de bhrí gur lá neamhchoitianta é lá grianmhar in Éirinn, lá nár cheart a chur amú.

Seasann an solas a phéinteáil mé go ballach os cionn leath de m’aghaidh don dóchas agus áthas a mhothaíonn daoine le teacht an earraigh, agus an tslí a n-éiríonn le solas na gréine dorchadas an gheimhridh a cheilt. Ba é an rud a theastaigh uaim a dhéanamh ná léargas a thabhairt ar an tslí is féidir le mothúcháin chasta cosúil le dóchas, suaimhneas agus faoiseamh, bunaithe ar na séasúir athraitheacha, nascadh lena chéile chun saothar ealaíne a bhfuil cuma shimplí air a chruthú.’

Go back to the shortlisted works