11-year-old Daisy's artwork representing love and loss is displayed in London Royal Academy of Arts

A young artist from Rochdale has had a deeply poignant and meaningful piece of artwork displayed in the London Royal Academy of Arts’ Young Artists’ Summer Show.

Daisy Coulter, 11, who attends Newhey Community Primary School, created the artwork as part of a school project after finding out her older sister, Millie Ashton, 21, was pregnant.

The artwork is an abstract relief tile of Millie’s baby scan and is simply titled ‘Oh Baby!’ to reflect the “pure joy” that Daisy felt at her sister’s longed-for child, which she described as “the best thing that has happened in my life.”

Representing both love and loss, ‘Oh Baby!’ depicts the image from Millie’s ultrasound scan carved into clay, painted in black and white, with the baby depicted in red.

 

 

School co-ordinator of the arts, Michelle Gardiner explained: “We entered to have the opportunity to raise the profile of creativity in the school. Knowing that the competition was nationwide, I was over the moon and so proud that one of the entries – Daisy’s entry – had been selected to be displayed.

“Although all of the entries that I submitted were amazing and so meaningful to all of the young artists who created them, something about this piece of art really stood out to myself and other staff.

“The pieces of art that I submitted all had to have a short description, written by the child; Daisy simply expressed her absolute love and joy at the news.”

However, on the day that the school found out Daisy’s art had been selected – and the day she was to find out – her family received the devastating news that Millie had gone into early labour. Baby Penelope Warburton was sadly born sleeping the next day.

Michelle added: “After time of reflection and deep grief, and discussions with the family and Daisy, they decided this wonderful achievement is extremely special - and now even more so.”

Writing on social media, Millie said: "My little sister couldn’t wait to be an auntie and was so excited.

"It was such a bitter sweet feeling as it was the worst day of my life, but my sister had managed to put Penelope’s mark on the world, even though she couldn’t be here to do it herself.

"I’m so so proud of Daisy; she has been accepted out of thousands of children for this opportunity and what a special piece she has created."

 

 

‘Oh Baby!’ has been displayed in the London Royal Academy of Arts’ Young Artists’ Summer Show and its online exhibition, with Daisy and her family attending a private viewing in July.

You can also vote for Daisy to win a People’s Choice Award as part of the 2023 Young Artists' Summer Show. 

Voting closes on 31 August 2023 and the winners will be announced in September.

• https://youngartists.royalacademy.org.uk/exhibitions/2023/94084?query=oh%20baby