A Sydney pediatric doctor who began painting as a hobby less than a year ago has won a prestigious $20,000 art competition, beating dozens of experienced artists in the process. Sean Lee, a 30-year-old pediatric registrar from Castle Hill, took home the top prize at the Eckersley's Art & Craft Prize with his still-life painting titled "My Pantry Essentials."
Lee's winning artwork depicts traditional Asian sauces and cooking ingredients that were staples in his family's kitchen while growing up in Sydney as the child of Chinese and Taiwanese immigrants. The meaningful piece resonated with judges and helped him triumph over 43 other finalists and hundreds of initial entrants in the competitive exhibition.
"I'm absolutely thrilled – honestly, this is a dream come true for me," Lee said after learning of his victory. "To win such a prestigious prize, I can't believe it." The young doctor's artistic journey began just 12 months ago when he picked up painting as a recreational activity outside of his demanding medical career.
Lee's inexperience as an artist nearly cost him the opportunity to compete. As a complete novice to the art world, he didn't even own a proper case to transport his artwork safely. On the day he needed to submit his painting to the exhibition, heavy rain threatened to destroy his creation during the short journey from his car to the venue.
"The day I showed up to present my painting, I remember it was a Tuesday, and it was pouring rain," Lee recalled. "I was worried the painting would get damaged if it got wet." In a moment of improvisation, he grabbed an old, torn t-shirt from his room and wrapped the valuable artwork in it for protection. "I had to run inside to keep it dry. Luckily, the painting didn't get any rain on it, but I was completely soaked – it was a small price to pay."
The remarkable story highlights how artistic talent can emerge unexpectedly, even among busy professionals in completely different fields. Lee's success demonstrates that formal training and years of experience, while valuable, aren't always prerequisites for creating compelling art that connects with audiences and critics alike.
Visitors can view Lee's prize-winning painting "My Pantry Essentials" along with works by other finalists at the Hazelhurst Arts Centre in Gymea, where the exhibition runs through September 23. The display showcases the diverse range of artistic styles and subjects that competed in this year's competition.
