Elva • 17 • Dublin

16-18 Category   •  2026
I grew up in the countryside of Wexford, surrounded by nature. When I was young, I often played in my grandfather’s sunflower garden. I remember lying beside the small river nearby, looking up and around me. From that angle, I could see little frogs resting by the water and butterflies flying gently around the tall, bright sunflowers. Those moments made me feel calm, safe, and connected to nature. This artwork is inspired by those childhood memories. The sunflower is placed at the centre of the piece because it represents life, warmth, and growth. The butterfly and the frog appear around it, just as they did in my memories, symbolising transformation, balance, and the quiet harmony found in nature. I used mixed media, including oil pastels, watercolours, acrylic markers, collage, and natural materials. The soft pinks, purples, and blues in the background create a dream-like atmosphere, reflecting how these memories live in my imagination rather than as exact images. By adding real natural materials, I wanted the artwork to feel alive and textured, just like nature itself. Through this piece, I wanted to show that nature is not only something we see around us, but something we carry with us through memories, emotions, and personal experiences. For me, this is nature.