Winner of the Sovereign Art Foundation’s Portugal Students Prize 2023
The Sovereign Art Foundation is delighted to announce the winner of the Portugal Students Prize 2023.
Sara Teixeira, aged 17, who attends the Escola Secundária Luís Freitas Branco, near Lisbon, won the Judges’ prize of €500 for herself and €1,500 for her school with her art entitled “No Surprises”, an oil painting on canvas.
A jury comprised of local and international experts selected the winner and Sara was presented with her prize at the Sociedade Nacional de Belas Artes in Lisbon where the 30 finalist students’ art is being exhibited alongside the Sovereign Portuguese Art Prize, for professional artists, until December 16.
Sara explained: “My piece is inspired by the song ‘No surprises’ by Radiohead. The song is about the fear and despair of living a monotonous and boring life and ageing with regrets. The painting is my interpretation of this theme and a reminder not to fall into a life with ‘no alarms and no surprises’, as the song says.”
The public have also been invited to cast a vote for their favourite artwork to win the Public Vote Prize which is €300 for the student and €800 for their school. The winner will be announced after the exhibition closes and voting can still be done online.
Sara was also the winner of the public vote in the 2022 prize with her art “Fading Away”.
The students’ art can also be purchased through bids in a ‘silent auction’, the proceeds of which will be split between the artist and Associação SAF, which is the Portuguese arm of The Sovereign Art Foundation (SAF), founded in 2003 to recognise, support and promote contemporary art talent; and to bring the therapeutic benefits of art to disadvantaged children. Work has already begun in Estremoz with small groups of children.
Visit website https://www.sovereignartfoundation.com/sp-portugal/ to vote, to bid and to see the amazing talent of these students.
The Foundation would like to thank the students for participating in the Prize and everyone who has supported them.
