7-year-olds winning artwork will sit next to the work of Lowry

A 7-year-old’s award-winning artwork will hang in the Lowry Galleries in Salford, sitting on display until next year.

The painting by Peiqi Zhou was the winning entry of The Lowry’s annual Copley Prize.

The annual Copley Prize was founded as an exciting way to encourage primary-aged children to develop their creativity and artistic ability.

The prize allows children to explore artistic style and recreate their own modern-day versions of Lowry’s work.

Peiqi Zhou who attends Yew Tree Community School in Oldham, was invited to The Lowry on Thursday 12 September to hang her painting up in the gallery.

With her work sitting alongside the famous piece of LS Lowry of who she was inspired by.

The painting has been named Two Lovely Little Sisters, and was intended to capture the images of the environment around her just like Lowry did.

The award-winning artwork was described by Peiqi, as she said: “It is me and my sister walking through the park to the shops to get some food.”

As she continued: “We are happy because it is the weekend.”

All the participants work was judged by Alison and Noel Copley the founders of the award.

With Alison speaking on the award-winning piece, she said: “We were so inspired by Peiqi’s piece which combined Lowry’s distinctive style with the artist’s own experience.

“It reminded me of the very special relationship sisters have. We can’t wait to see what the next year of the Copley Prize brings.”

With hundred of participants involved, she spoke on the amazing entries that they received: “Every year it becomes more difficult to choose a winner from the hundreds of wonderful entries.”

Guests will have the opportunity to see the amazing work of Peiqi, and will be able to visit The Lowry Galleries six days a week from Tuesday to Sunday.

The piece will sit in the gallery until next year, with Gwen Oakden, Deputy CEO & Director of Development at The Lowry saying: “We are so pleased and proud to be able to share Peiqi’s personal and touching work with thousands of visitors to our galleries over the next year.

“We also want to thank Alison and Noel for their continued dedication and support of this important programme which helps us to nurture and encourage the next generation of artists all over the country.”

With The Copley Prize forming in 2013, it has received over 4,000 entries, with children in key stage one and two being able to submit their work now for the 2025 Copley Prize here – with both judges looking forward to seeing the next participants.