16–18 Category Winner • This is Art! 2023 •
The Stratford Fox
Georgia Smith • Aged 16 • Dublin
Artist Statement
An acrylic mural on a poured concrete wall at Stratford National School bringing to life the legend of The Stratford Fox. Inspired by a desire to give back to my national school and reinvigorate both the legend of The Stratford Fox for current pupils and its association with the school. I spent many of my lunches at the school searching with my friends for signs of the fox.
Completed over a thankfully dry week in mid-April 2023. I initially sketched the outline in chalk and then primed the wall within the outline with Zinseer Bullseye 123. Using a brush, I applied a base coat of burnt sienna acrylic paint to the majority of the mural. I then used a selection of Posca pens to layer colours to paint the detail of the mural. I then masked the mural and sprayed it with a Montana matte acrylic varnish to protect it.
Comments from the Jury
“This really stood out to me because I know how hard it is to draw something realistic let alone on a wall! I could tell a lot of work went into this and I think you executed it brilliantly! I love it!”
Aoife Dooley, Illustrator & Author
“The Stratford Fox is an artwork that demonstrates real ambition, an impressive creative vision and no end of skill. In design and aplication it was a standout in this category. It is wonderful to think of the joy that Georgia’s artwork will bring for the students of Stratford NS in the months and years ahead. You should be very proud Georgia, I look forward to discovering more of your artwork in the furture.”
Tadhg Crowley, The Glucksman Museum, University College Cork
“Street Art is not easy but this young artist has totally aced it. She has placed a really special piece in the perfect location, taking into consideration what others might want to see. Her technical knowledge is also far beyond her years.”
Ruth Medjber, Photographer
