WOLLONGONG Youth Centre will hold an exhibition by local artist Elizabeth Batger.

Known as Libby, the artist was a winner at a recent art competition at Gallery: 5 Crown Lane and has been working with the Youth Centre’s Artist In Residence to produce works for her exhibition.

Libby, 22, has been working on her art for about 11 years.

“At school I had a really good teacher and I was really bad at all the other subjects and I just painted Vincent Van Gogh’s Sunflowers,” she said.

While many young people look to pop and sports stars for sources of inspiration and leadership, Libby’s interest was elsewhere.

“I’m inspired by the old masters, Rembrandt, Van Gogh. I also like some modern artists. I really like the late British artist Lucian Freud, and Australia’s Ben Quilty.

“I’m pretty dedicated. I work really hard and I just want to paint all the time basically – if I had my own studio, I’m using the youth centre’s studio but, if I could I would paint all day every day. I think I have a preference for high art or the old masters.”

Youth Services supports young people who enjoy art making by offering an active art space and art programs, as well as support ting an annual young artist in residence.   The exhibition wall in the centre is well used to exhibit many forms of art produced by young people.

Elizabeth has taken part in art exhibitions at West Wollongong TAFE, where she studies. Her work experience includes running art workshops at Headspace Illawarra, co-directing a gallery in Newtown and running a Mural project in conjunction with other artists. Libby currently is doing a Diploma in Fine Arts.

The exhibition will be open to the public from June 15 to 26 June from 4pm to 6pm at Wollongong Youth Centre, Burelli Street, Wollongong.