Two Winners in the Pat Hanly Creativity Awards

Pat Hanly Creativity Awards is one of Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland’s longest-standing creative youth art awards and a prestigious one. This event is an annual event that celebrates our senior secondary school artists who have demonstrated outstanding creativity, imagination and commitment to the visual arts. 

All Auckland secondary schools were invited to nominate one or two of their top art students. Our nominated students from Rutherford College this year were year-thirteen students; Ishani Kumar and Tyra Ibbott (for the second time running). Both students were accepted for the award. Ishani and Tyra have both shown outstanding talent in painting, and Tyra is also a stand-out student in Art-Design. They have also shown commitment to the visual arts with their involvement as organisers and exhibitors in this year’s Arts Exhibition.  

Ishani submitted her painting ‘Cutting Ties’ which represents cutting ties to her twin sister after realising that they were not identical. The shaver poised in front of her face symbolises her cutting free and ‘embracing (her) unique identity’. “Bound’ by Tyra is about the ‘weight of my own expectations, refusing to cut myself free even when I have the tools to do so.’ 

Ishani and Tyra received their awards at a red-carpet gala event at Auckland Art Gallery/Toi o Tāmaki on 10th August. At the event they also participated in an art challenge, working with fellow recipients of the award. It was a memorable night for all.  

Images: Ishani and Tyra with their award, ‘Cutting Ties’ by Ishani Kumar (acrylic on card), ‘Bound’ by Tyra Ibbott (acrylic on card), Pat Hanly Award ceremony, Tyra and Ishani at the art workshop