Dilara Niriella, a young Sri Lankan born artist from Sydney, achieved national recognition in Australia when she was chosen as the winner of the Young- Archie art competition this year. Dilara painted a portrait of her father Dr Dasmin Anupa Niriella in keeping with the theme of the competition where the entrants were required to submit a painting of the person who is the greatest influence in their lives. 

This painting was chosen as the winning artwork from over 2500 entries. Entries were judged on merit and originality by leading Australian artist Del Kathryn Barton, Archibald Prize winner in 2008 and 2013, and Victoria Collings, the senior coordinator of education and family programs of the Art Gallery of NSW. Dilara was awarded the first prize of her age category  at a function held at the Art Gallery of NSW in early September. Her winning artwork was on display at the Art Gallery of NSW till mid October.

Speaking about her father Dilara fondly added, “ My father encourages me and is present cheering me on in whatever I do. He has done so much for his family. I am an artist, I painted my Appachichi’s portrait as an appreciation of all the love that he surrounds us with.”

Dilara, who migrated to Australia at a tender age, has studied art under the tutelage of artists such as Elena Parashko and Jane Blatchford. Her love for art grew with the encouragement of her family and her school. Dilaraa HSC student at Pacific Hills Christian school in Dural was fortunate to have been chosen to study an extensive course in painting at the National Art School in Sydney last year.

Dilara who is the eldest daughter ofDoctor Dasmin Anupa Niriella & Journalist SharmilaJayasingheNiriella  is proud of her Sri Lankan heritage and is elated that she was able to make a mark as the first Sri Lankan to have won this prestigious award. Dilara was recently appointed as the president of the Youth League of the Sri Lanka Association of New South Wales.