- By Hope Milo, UoA Communications Student
Amina Ahmad Baker has won the Howick Youth Council’s Visual Arts Showcase accolade for 2024.
The Botany Downs Secondary College student recently took home the top prize at the event’s awards at Uxbridge Arts and Culture, in Howick.
Baker’s winning artwork, a self-portrait drawn from a spontaneous photo, proved to both the judges and community that she’s a rising star in east Auckland’s art scene.
“I got into art at a very young age, like most kids,” she says.
“Everyone likes scribbling on everything when their brain isn’t properly functioning at a young age, except I never grew out of it.”
For Baker, art quickly became more than just a childhood activity. It served as an emotional outlet.
“It was a coping mechanism to give me a break as I easily got sensitive, especially when I was young.”
Baker credits her aunt, Noor Hassan, as a source of inspiration.
“She’s phenomenal. I’ve never seen a person stun so many people because of the affect her art has on them,” Baker says, of Hassan, an artist herself who travels to learn, teach and showcase art.
The inspiration for her winning artwork came from an unexpected moment during a school rugby match.
“None of us wanted to watch the game, we just wanted a free period,” she says, jokingly.
While watching with friends, a spontaneous photo was taken.
“As I looked up, the sun hit my eyes perfectly, capturing the photo used for my winning art piece. Right time, right place, right moment type thing.”
Deciding to use the photo as a baseline for her drawing was easy. The decision to enter the competition was harder.
“At first, I was unsure. I didn’t see this art piece as anything much,” Baker admits, but encouragement from her Uxbridge art teacher, Amber Adams, helped her push through.
“She convinced me to enter with that specific piece, and thankfully, she did.”
Winning the Howick Youth Council competition has been both thrilling and overwhelming for Baker.
“Bamboozled, literally,” she says, of her reaction.
“I had both good emotions and bad emotions. I was flattered, definitely, but I was also so overwhelmed with anxiety because this was my first-ever win.
“Even now, I still sort of don’t believe I won.”
When asked what message she hopes her art conveys, Baker offers advice for others.
“Honestly, just don’t overthink what you do because it just might lead you to something greater.
“If my teacher hadn’t convinced me to enter, you would probably be emailing another student on their win.”
