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Schoolboy artist has sights set on world peace

BBC Reuben looks into the camera and is surrounded by pens, paint brushes and other art equipment. In the background a number of light coloured cupboards and drawers can be seen. There are a number of family photographs on a shelf too. Reuben has blond hair which is swept to one side and is wearing a grey hoodie.BBC
Reuben, from Brandesburton, has reached the final of an international peace poster competition

A schoolboy is through to the final of an international art competition to design a poster for peace.

Reuben, 12, who attends Hornsea School and Language College in East Yorkshire, has beaten entries in the regional and national heats of the Lions International competition.

His image, titled Peace Without Limits, depicts a space traveller reaching for peace against the backdrop of Earth.

The poster has been sent to judges in the US, who are also looking at artwork from other children around the world, and a winner will be announced in February.

Reuben Reuben's mixed media entry into the Lions International Peace Poster Competition shows a space traveller reaching for delicate and beautiful peace. The colourful image has been created using oil paint and marker pens. The left side of the image shows colourful butterflies and the glove of an astronaut trying to touch them.Reuben
Reuben's interpretation of Peace Without Limits has been sent to competition judges in the US

Reuben, who lives in Brandesburton, said the inspiration for his mixed-media work, created using oil paint and marker pens, came after he researched space, animals and anything he thought could be connected.

He said: "It's looking forward to peace, which is portrayed using butterflies.

"They (butterflies) can be delicate and easily broken like peace but are beautiful at the same time.

"I had the idea to use space because it is limitless and I thought it would go. Peace without limits."

Reuben, with light hair and wearing a grey hoodie, smiles into the camera. He is holding a painting in his hands which depicts a large, brown deer.
The 12-year-old told the BBC that many of his artworks are inspired by nature

Reuben's mum, Sarah, said her son had worked "really hard" on the project and that their home had been taken over by art materials.

"Every time he leaves the house, he takes the materials with him," she said. "It's not just a few bits, it's a bag for life full of paper, pens and paints."

The 12-year-old told the BBC that he would like to pursue a future career in art and design. But will take it one step at a time.

"I didn't think I could get this far but I'm very, very excited," he concluded.

Lions International added: "Creating peace posters gives children everywhere the chance to express their visions of peace and inspire the world through art and creativity."

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