Six young artists won the second annual National Art Competition on Sunday with their paintings on the theme “heal the world” will travel to Manila later this year to compete internationally, an organizer said.
There were two categories in this year’s competition by Global Art Cambodia—one open to Phnom Penh public schools and one for students enrolled at Global Art Cambodia School. Each had three winners, said Mao Chhaya, marketing and communication executive for the school.
“The motivation for this painting competition is to push students to think creatively and we wanted to allow students from across Phnom Penh’s public school system to participate,” he said.
The 450 students were separated into three age groups: four- to six-year-olds, seven- to nine-year-olds and 10- to 18-year-olds.
Naieka Malmgren, 13, from Global Art Cambodia School won in the upper age group for his depiction of a toxic Earth and the ways young people can reduce the problem.
“I am so happy to have won,” he said. “My mum and my dad and my school encouraged me to stop playing games and train to paint…. Thank you mum and dad.”
