Teen artist Alexander Annett wins first place in people's choice award for Archibool Prize

The Merri River School student, 17, said he was thrilled with the news of his win.

"I'm feeling really good, I really love painting and drawing," he said.

"People are my favourite thing to draw."

READ MORE: People decide on Warrnambool art prize

Thousands of votes were cast to decided this year's winner after the COVID-19 pandemic had sent the The Warrnibald Prize exhibition at the Warrnambool Art Gallery online.

The Warrnibald 2020 is a non-acquisitive open-entry portraiture exhibition and art prize and the Warrnibald Prize winner was selected by a panel of judges in July.

Portrait subjects for the people's choice award are those who are currently or have previously, made significant contributions in south-west Victoria or have represented our region in Australia or overseas.

While Glenn Morgan is an esteemed artist with many accolades next to his name, Alexander admitted it was "his bald head" that drew him to choose Morgan as his subject.

Proud dad Phillip Annett said Alexander worked on the piece for about a month under the guidance of his art teacher and fellow local artist, Megan Cheyney.

"It was pretty exciting to hear the news, it's good to see that people have deemed his work worthy of winning this prize," Mr Annett said.

"It took him a long period of time, about 10 hours all up over a month or so."

Over 2000 votes were cast for the Archibool Prize.

Alexander painted Morgan from memory, starting first with a pencil drawing which he then transferred onto canvas with chalk and painted over.

This year is Alexander's final year at Merri River School and Principal Robert Dowell said he was "blown away" by his student's achievement.

"I was so blown away when I heard our Alex had taken out the people's choice award," Mr Dowell said.

"It's just fabulous news, he's a great boy and has always been passionate about art."

Mr Annett said Alexander is looking at studying art at TAFE next year.

Alexander said he hopes that with his prize money and 18^th birthday coming up he might score himself some new Xbox games.

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