They may not be Vincent van Goghs, but the winners of a painting competition have reached a 'high gallery standard', organisers say.
More than 70 primary and secondary schools entered the contest held by Swire Coca-Cola Hong Kong. Entrants had to produce their own interpretation of the topic, 'Share your sunshine with friends', using water colours and oil pastels.
Five sixth-formers from Po Chiu Catholic Secondary School, with a portrayal of a tribe dancing in a forest at sunset, won the senior category.
'We wanted to draw something special and vibrant and we came up with our idea after brainstorming,' said Wan Cheung, 18. 'The idea is sharing - sharing sunshine, sharing youth.' The five team members are a perfect illustration of the theme. They share an enthusiasm for painting and all of them are taking art as a subject in next year's A-Levels. The quintet went shopping, played and studied together.
'Friends are like family' is their philosophy. 'They're the first ones to know of my happiness or sadness,' said team member, Au Yeung Chun-hay, 18.
The importance of friendship and teamwork is also highlighted by the primary section winners from Tseung Kwan O Catholic Primary School.