<p dir="ltr">Young people from across the region were encouraged to submit portraits based on the theme of ‘under-representation’ – works that showed those who may not traditionally have been featured or seen on the walls of a museum or gallery. Entries were open in three different categories: Primary, Secondary and 18-25 Years and the winner of each category takes centre stage in the display.</p> <p dir="ltr">10-year-old Beatrix ‘Bee’ Bondarescu came out on top in the Primary category. Her painting Mama, which saw her experimenting with new materials, features her mum, who she often watches art videos with.<br /></p>

<p dir="ltr">Amira Bukasa, an 17-year old <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/pre-degree/ual-level-3-extended-diploma-in-art-design-fashion-textiles">Extended Diploma in Fashion &amp; Textiles</a> from our Pre-Degree &amp; Sixth Form centre, won First Place in the Secondary School category with her photographic portrait, ‘The Future’. The image shows two of her siblings in traditional African clothing and was inspired by her Congolese heritage.</p> <p dir="ltr">Amira said: “I was overwhelmed with joy when I found out that I was chosen as a winner. I’d never entered a competition like this before and am very proud of this achievement.<br /></p>

<p dir="ltr">25-year-old <a href="https://claire-louisepitman.co.uk/">Claire-louise Pitman</a> won in the 18-25 Years category with a self-portrait titled ‘coronal incision’. The highly personal image explores the texture, size and shape of a large scar on her head which she’s had since a young age. Claire-louise is currently studying <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/ma-photography">MA Photography</a> with us.</p> <p dir="ltr">Claire-Louise Pitman said: “Being displayed in The Box so far is the most professional creative achievement I have reached to date. The opening night had such a buzz, there was never a quiet moment. Looking at myself on the wall in The Box feels strange, as I don't resemble that version of myself now.”<br /></p>

<p dir="ltr">The three winners were unanimously selected by a judging panel consisting of artist Nahem Shoa; Paul Fieldsend-Danks, Vice-Chancellor of Arts University Plymouth; Tony Davey, engagement officer at The Box; Terah Walkup, art curator at The Box and Jelena Sofronijevic, contemporary art curator at The Box.</p> <p dir="ltr">Their winning portraits can be seen, alongside the additional 160 entries the competition received, in one of The Box’s first floor galleries throughout the summer. The display runs until the end of Sunday 29 September. Opening hours are 10am-5pm Tuesday to Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday. Admission is free.</p> <p dir="ltr">Visitors can also see extra insights from Bee, Amira and Claire-louise in the display, including Bee’s palette, brushes and sketchbook, Amira’s test shots and some of Claire-louise’s prints. A further display case features information about famous Plympton-born portrait artist Sir Joshua Reynolds, while two stunning portraits from The Box’s art collection by Nahem Shoa and David Kim Whittaker have been hung either side of the gallery.</p> <p dir="ltr">‘The Time is Always Now’ features 1998 Turner Prize winner Chris Ofili, 2017 Turner Prize nominee Hurvin Anderson, 2017 Turner Prize winner Lubaina Himid, 2023 Turner Prize nominee Barbara Walker and Michelle Obama portraitist Amy Sherald.</p> <p dir="ltr">Works by Njideka Akunyili Crosby, Michael Armitage, Jordan Casteel, Noah Davis, Godfried Donkor, Kimathi Donkor, Denzil Forrester, Claudette Johnson, Titus Kaphar, Kerry James Marshall, Wangechi Mutu, Toyin Ojih Odutola, Jennifer Packer, Nathaniel Mary Quinn, Thomas J Price, Lorna Simpson and Henry Taylor are also on show.</p>