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Pamplemousses Garden
Pamplemousses Garden

Mauritius Students Prize

Established in 2016, The Mauritius Students Prize is open to all enrolled secondary school students in Mauritius.

 

Entry is closed.

How To Participate

01

Nomination

Participating students must be nominated by their teacher. Teachers can nominate up to 10 students to enter. Upon entry, students will be asked to enter the name of their nominating teacher.

Click here for T&Cs.

 

02

Artwork Submission

Nominated students can submit up to three artworks online before the submission deadline. Please follow the entry instructions in the T&Cs.

Our panel of judges will then select 20 student artists for the shortlist.

03

The Prizes

The Judges Prize of Rs8,000 is awarded to the student artist with the highest score from the judges. Rs15,000 is awarded to the school of the Judges Prize winner.

The Public Vote Prize of Rs6,000 is awarded to the student artist with the most votes from the public. Rs10,000 is awarded to the school of the Public Vote Prize Winner.

Shortlist

Yoshika Chumun
Escape image
Judges’ Prize Winner
Escape
Tanya Kelly CHEUNG CHIN YAN
Save a Stray image
Public Vote Winner
Save a Stray
Joson Dereck
An Intense Gaze image
BIDDING AVAILABLE
An Intense Gaze
Leanna Laurabelle Sêthora MINERVE
Freedom image
Freedom
Keshika Ramful
Grace and Graceful Nature image
BIDDING AVAILABLE
Grace and Graceful Nature
Astrid Lauren JAULIMSING
Impressionistic Whirl - A Landscape emanation Monet and Van Gogh's Essence image
Impressionistic Whirl – A Landscape emanation Monet and Van Gogh’s Essence
Isha Bumma
Mauritian Landscape image
Mauritian Landscape
Jean Yohan Julian Adriano
My Dream image
My Dream
Maheera Bibi Dowlut
My Wonderland image
My Wonderland
Aaqilah Nowrung
Rebirth image
Rebirth
Jill Mary CHUNG WING KON
Reflection image
Reflection
Shafeeqah Hosenbocus
Sega Dance Delight image
BIDDING AVAILABLE
Sega Dance Delight
Marie Alexandra Sylvia JANSON
Sweet Treat image
Sweet Treat
Galiana Appadu
The Art Of Kendrick Lamar image
The Art Of Kendrick Lamar
Lakshna Rajkoomar
The Bird image
The Bird
Sahil Jethoo
The love of God'- A melody through the sound of flute image
The love of God’- A melody through the sound of flute
Yannish Ryan Dindoyal
The New Creation image
The New Creation
Naila Munglah
The Red Pomegrenate image
BIDDING AVAILABLE
The Red Pomegrenate
Svetanshu Ramjutton
Trapped image
BIDDING AVAILABLE
Trapped
Khooshi Nemdharry
Upon Growing Old image
Upon Growing Old
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01 / 20

Yoshika Chumun

Escape image

Yoshika Chumun

Escape
School: Pamplemousses SSS
Dimension: 42 x 60cm
Medium: Acrylics on canvas
Age: 18
Country: Mauritius

When life gets difficult, escapism gives people a way to take a break from reality. Escapism can be good as it prevents burn out and reduces our stress and increase the feelings of hope. But in some cases, people are so stressed out that they prefer to opt for easy solutions like drugs, alcohol and isolation away from the busy world. Getting involved in drugs and other means of escapism make people hallucinate and they see the world differently. Some people hallucinate and they see the world differently. Some people have already created their own universe and prefer to stay in the hallucination/illusion state. Just like music is a way to escape reality and help to stabilise your mental health, being in the illusion state acts the same. The only difference is that when you are escaping from reality, you are only active mentally and freeze physically. You are in a state of illusion where you can’t react physically. Everything is moving around you. All the colours are mixing and all the patterns become optical. You create your own world when you escape from reality.

02 / 20

Tanya Kelly CHEUNG CHIN YAN

Save a Stray image

Tanya Kelly CHEUNG CHIN YAN

Save a Stray
School: EBENE SSS GIRLS
Dimension: 21 x 34cm
Medium: Acrylic
Age: 17
Country: Mauritius

My intention for this piece is to bring awareness about the exponential rise in the number of stray dogs here in Mauritius. There is not a day that goes by that I don’t remember at least one dog roaming freely on the streets or on public beaches. Innocence on its face, deep watery eyes and a wiry belly, asking for a piece of bread and affection from passerby. Saving one dog will not change the world but surely for that one dog, the world will change forever.

03 / 20

Joson Dereck

An Intense Gaze image

Joson Dereck

An Intense Gaze
School: Phoenix SSS
Dimension: 30 x 42cm
Medium: Oil paint
Age: 18
Country: Mauritius

My first ever oil painting trying to capture the realism of Rembrandt.

04 / 20

Leanna Laurabelle Sêthora MINERVE

Freedom image

Leanna Laurabelle Sêthora MINERVE

Freedom
School: EBENE SSS GIRLS
Dimension: 30 x 42cm
Medium: Acrylic
Age: 17
Country: Mauritius

Through my artwork I want to highlight the concept of freedom that is shown by the statue spreading its wings. It awakened in the feeling of being free from expectations and being reborn as a new being. The skin of the past self has been shed and the reborn self can now spread its wings without hiding any longer. This initiates a new beginning and a different aura which symbolised by the golden aura around the statue.

05 / 20

Keshika Ramful

Grace and Graceful Nature image

Keshika Ramful

Grace and Graceful Nature
School: Pamplemousses SSS
Dimension: 42 x 60cm
Medium: Acrylics on canvas
Age: 17
Country: Mauritius

Grace and a grateful nature are both qualities that are often associated with women and flowers. Grace is a sense of elegance, beauty and ease, while a grateful nature is a positive attitude of admiration and gratitude for the good things in life. Grace is a quality that is often associated with women, and it is defined as the ability to move with elegance and beauty. Similarly, flowers are seen as symbols of grace and gratefulness, as they often bring beauty and joy to people’s lives. My portraiture represents Mauritian flowers and I, as a woman, how we both share this beauty and feeling of gratitude and care in life, how women’s natural tendency to nurture is reflected in the care and attention needed for flowers to thrive.

06 / 20

Astrid Lauren JAULIMSING

Impressionistic Whirl - A Landscape emanation Monet and Van Gogh's Essence image

Astrid Lauren JAULIMSING

Impressionistic Whirl – A Landscape emanation Monet and Van Gogh’s Essence
School: EBENE SSS GIRLS
Dimension: 38 x 55cm
Medium: Acrylic
Age: 17
Country: Mauritius

A Landscape emanation Monet and Van Gogh’s Essence.

07 / 20

Isha Bumma

Mauritian Landscape image

Isha Bumma

Mauritian Landscape
School: Nelson College
Dimension: 42 x 60cm
Medium: Acrylic on canvas
Age: 18
Country: Mauritius

I wanted to show a Mauritian landscape on Canvas demonstrating a house, trees and mauritian lifestyle.

08 / 20

Jean Yohan Julian Adriano

My Dream image

Jean Yohan Julian Adriano

My Dream
School: DAV College MSA
Dimension: 80 x 65cm
Medium: Acrylic on board
Age: 17
Country: Mauritius

My dream is to become an astronaut for the Nasa.

09 / 20

Maheera Bibi Dowlut

My Wonderland image

Maheera Bibi Dowlut

My Wonderland
School: Sodnac SSS
Dimension: 59 x 42cm
Medium: Coloured pencils and oil pastels
Age: 14
Country: Mauritius

The painting is a stylised self-portrait in an imaginary world of delicate beauty and magical charm. A place that excites admiration, a scenic wonderland. I read to escape from reality. Between the pages of a book I can be anyone I want to be, and go anywhere I want to be!

10 / 20

Aaqilah Nowrung

Rebirth image

Aaqilah Nowrung

Rebirth
School: Pamplemousses SSS
Dimension: 60 x 80cm
Medium: Acrylic on canvas
Age: 15
Country: Mauritius

The background has darks tones and colours which represents the life the girl had before. It was a depressing life before that she went through. The path and the girl in the back shows that she’s now moving on and going somewhere no one knows…The same girl in the front covered with flowers and butterflies shows her new life after moving on. It shows that now she’s at a stage in her life where she’s happy. Chaos flowers represent happiness and healing…butterfly. Rebirth and healing from past traumas.

11 / 20

Jill Mary CHUNG WING KON

Reflection image

Jill Mary CHUNG WING KON

Reflection
School: EBENE SSS GIRLS
Dimension: 140 x 90cm
Medium: Acrylic on canvas
Age: 17
Country: Mauritius

Beauty of reflection in water. The mind is free like beautiful fish in water.

12 / 20

Shafeeqah Hosenbocus

Sega Dance Delight image

Shafeeqah Hosenbocus

Sega Dance Delight
School: Mahatma Gandhi Secondary School moka
Dimension: 60 x 40 x 5cm
Medium: Acrylic
Age: 18
Country: Mauritius

The dancer in this artwork is a symbol of boundless creativity and the transformative power of art. Their body is portrayed in perfect balance and alignment, showcasing the strength and precision of their craft. Every muscle and sinew is delicately detailed, capturing the intensity and dedication of their practice. She shows a subtle gaze of fierceness as if she is confident in her skills. Her thoughtless smile playing on the edge of her lips makes you wonder whether she is smiling or nervous. The background consists of simple shades in order to fully capture the beauty of the dancer.. the focus being her and her only.

13 / 20

Marie Alexandra Sylvia JANSON

Sweet Treat image

Marie Alexandra Sylvia JANSON

Sweet Treat
School: EBENE SSS GIRLS
Dimension: 30 x 42cm
Medium: Acrylic on paper
Age: 17
Country: Mauritius

This painting resembles a craving for food. Cakes are usually seen as unforbidden and irresistible which highlights the title of the artwork. Due to how much sugar is in it. I used this style full of pastel colours so that it gives this dreamy feel to the artwork. This style makes it seem as though the treat in this painting is irresistible which highlights the title of the artwork.

14 / 20

Galiana Appadu

The Art Of Kendrick Lamar image

Galiana Appadu

The Art Of Kendrick Lamar
School: Sodnac SSS
Dimension: 70 x 45cm
Medium: Acrylic
Age: 14
Country: Mauritius

To embody the flow of music, I have made the use of several materials. The collage representing some thoughtful lyrics. The neutral colours such as blue, black, grey etc while creating atmosphere of joy elation, excitement and some heartfelt moments with his fans.

15 / 20

Lakshna Rajkoomar

The Bird image

Lakshna Rajkoomar

The Bird
School: John Kennedy College
Dimension: 30 x 40cm
Medium: Mixed media: Ribbon, Papier Macher, Buttons, Paper
Age: 16
Country: Mauritius

Inspired by Vaco Baissac.

16 / 20

Sahil Jethoo

The love of God'- A melody through the sound of flute image

Sahil Jethoo

The love of God’- A melody through the sound of flute
School: Adolphe De Plevitz SSS
Dimension: 60 x 80cm
Medium: Acrylic on canvas
Age: 16
Country: Mauritius

The blue colour of Lord Krishna is representative of internal strength, senerity and calmness. In my painting, Lord Krishna is depicted as playing the flute, he is in harmony and feels the love of each and everyone. ‘To love without condition, to talk without intention, to give without reason, care without expectation, that’s the spirit of true love.

17 / 20

Yannish Ryan Dindoyal

The New Creation image

Yannish Ryan Dindoyal

The New Creation
School: Nelson college
Dimension: 42 x 60cm
Medium: Watercolour
Age: 18
Country: Mauritius

Landscape painting inspired by Salvador Dali using watercolour technique.

18 / 20

Naila Munglah

The Red Pomegrenate image

Naila Munglah

The Red Pomegrenate
School: Muslim Girl College
Dimension: 30 x 40cm
Medium: Acrylic on canvas
Age: 18
Country: Mauritius

A painting of pomegranates.

19 / 20

Svetanshu Ramjutton

Trapped image

Svetanshu Ramjutton

Trapped
School: DAV College MSA
Dimension: 40 x 55cm
Medium: Mixed Media on paper
Age: 17
Country: Mauritius

People trapped in the circles of life.

20 / 20

Khooshi Nemdharry

Upon Growing Old image

Khooshi Nemdharry

Upon Growing Old
School: France Boyer de la Giroday SSS
Dimension: 30 x 40cm
Medium: Mixed media on paper
Age: 18
Country: Mauritius

Bittersweet as it is, from the moment one takes her first breath, first laughs, first signs of maturing and till the moment she lays prisoner to her death bed, she evolves into a different individual. The loss of innocence and the celebration of childhood is an ugly yet joyous truth. Those fleeting moments of childhood are immensely precious; this is when one opened herself to all new things and all the wonders of the world. Yet, the notion of childhood is not as honoured as much as old age. It is considered as a mere memory, left roaming in the past, soon to be forgotten. In this artwork, the major significance attributed to old age is portrayed by using a much greater scale compared to childhood. As mesmerising and impacting old age can be, childhood beats its stereotype by ushering elation and warmness through its bright colours, bringing warmth into this dull world, thus contrasting with the notion of old age.

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Thanks for voting!

Celebritea Key Dates mobile image

Key Dates

Submission Period

20 March — 20 July

Shortlist Announcement

— October

Finalists Exhibition

23 — 25 October

Awards Ceremony

— 27 October

Events and Exhibitions

Lemon Tree Cafe Venue
The Mauritius Students Prize Finalists Exhibition

Venue: Lemon Tree Café, Forbach
Opening Times: Monday – Saturday | 9:15am – 5pm
Dates: 23 – 25 October
Admission: Free

Judges

Howard Bilton image
Howard Bilton
Founder and Chairman  
Howard Bilton image

Howard Bilton

Founder and Chairman  

Howard Bilton is Chairman and founder of The Sovereign Group. Howard holds a joint honours BA degree in classics and law from the University of Keele and is qualified as a Barrister and called to the Bars of England/Wales and Gibraltar.  

He is a visiting non-resident professor at Texas A and M University where he assists with their LLM and Masters degrees in International Tax and Offshore Centres.  

In 2003 he formed The Sovereign Art Foundation (SAF) which runs a range of art prizes designed to increase the exposure of artists in the region, while raising money to help disadvantaged children.  

SAF has raised over US$11 million which has been used to help thousands of disadvantaged children using expressive arts as a means of education and rehabilitation.  

Howard has a personal art collection comprising around 420 pieces made by a wide range of artists from students to internationally famous artists.   

He has acted as a judge on various Sovereign sponsored art prizes in Hong Kong, Bahrain, Gibraltar, Guernsey, the Isle of Man, London, Malta, Mauritius, Portugal and Singapore.  He has also acted as a nominator for the Sovereign professional prizes in Africa and Portugal. 

Howard is the Founder and Chairman of Howard’s Folly Wines, Portugal. All wines use art on the labels and often feature work by finalists of the various Sovereign art prizes or children taught by SAF. A proportion of the revenue from wine sales goes to support SAF. 

 

Kaderbaccus Mohammad Aftaz image
Kaderbaccus Mohammad Aftaz
Artist
Kaderbaccus Mohammad Aftaz image

Kaderbaccus Mohammad Aftaz

Artist

Kaderbaccus Mohammad Aftaz (born 1993), is a Mauritian Contemporary Artist. Aftaz specializes in sculpture in various media including wax, metal, wood\branches, scrape materials, whether it is man-made objects or natural made. He developed his curiosity into 3-D artworks since his first year as an Art student at the M.G.I and went on to choose Sculpture as specialization for his final years. Aftaz was curious about materials and mostly problem solving while working with them. Despite being an Art student he had participated in various art Exhibitions and Events and also collaborated with many Mauritian and international Artists. His major research is about “Deconstructivisme” where he analyzes and deconstruct concepts and materials to gives us different ways to look at a Sculpture. His Master`s and present research is about ‘the fragility of the human body’, where he approached the human body in a deconstructive way to create organic sculptures which reflects the Mauritian health problems.

Nishal Purbhoo image
Nishal Purbhoo
Artist
Nishal Purbhoo image

Nishal Purbhoo

Artist

Nishal Purbhoo; artist name Nisharts, holds a Masters in Visual Arts, received several national artistic Awards and recognition such as Oscar de la Jeunesse. Artist with 22 years of experience and more than 100 art exhibitions done at national and internationally level. Guest artists for exhibition in International Art Village Chendu Nongyuan, China, represented Mauritius for the 18th Asian Art Biennale Bangladesh 2018, Duo and group exhibition in Charlly Lesquerin Gallery, St Pierre Reunions Island. Attended the Hatyai International Artist Camp in Thailand and artworks also exhibited in countries like France, Bulgaria & Bosnia. Curator for two major International Online Art Exhibition

Sponsors and Supporters

SPMauritius2023
Organiser

Supported by

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Prize Winners and Previous Finalists