We have to admit — we thought about pausing the Hive Art Gallery contest over the Christmas, assuming none of us would have much time for art or voting.
But this round was saved by 
Big congratulations to all! 🎨✨
The winners
🥇 1st place:
This collaboration between Hrechkosii and Agata Gromada is a brilliant example of how architectural history can be reimagined through contemporary art. By capturing the Palace of Culture and Science in its modern context, Hrechkosii uses a vibrant, watercolor palette that breathes fresh life into the iconic socialist-realist landmark, transforming its rigid geometry into something fluid and atmospheric. The concept of pairing a 1950s historical perspective with a "nowadays" interpretation for a limited-edition whisky brand adds a sophisticated layer of storytelling and nostalgia to the product. It is a masterful fusion of heritage and design that not only enhances the brand's premium appeal but also serves as a beautiful tribute to Warsaw’s changing urban landscape.
🥈 2nd place:
This striking pen portrait showcases an impressive level of detail and texture, achieved through the meticulous use of a blue ballpoint pen on a vibrant yellow cardboard surface. The artist expertly utilizes cross-hatching and fine line work to define the cat’s facial structure and the soft, varied patterns of its fur, creating a sense of depth and realism despite the limited color palette. The high-contrast relationship between the deep blue ink and the bright yellow background adds a modern, graphic energy to the piece, making the subject pop with life. It is a wonderful example of how everyday materials can be transformed into expressive and soulful animal art through technical skill and patience.
🥉 3rd places:
This pencil drawing of a German Shepherd masterfully captures the "calm confidence" and "loyal guardian" nature of the subject through an effective use of high-contrast shading. By employing a 12B sketch pencil on a dedicated sketch pad, the artist achieves deep, velvety blacks that give the dog’s features—particularly the alert ears and steady gaze—a striking three-dimensional presence. The rough, expressive linework surrounding the figure contrasts beautifully with the more deliberate, soft blending on the face, emphasizing the animal's physical strength and focused temperament. It is a powerful example of monochromatic portraiture that feels both intimate and authoritative, successfully bringing the reference image to life with significant emotional weight.
This emotionally charged fan art piece serves as a powerful political allegory, utilizing the antagonist Tomura Shigaraki from My Hero Academia to represent the systemic collapse and "decay" currently facing Cuba. By depicting Shigaraki destroying the island with a single finger, the artist brilliantly contextualizes the character's destructive fictional power to mirror real-world crises in education, healthcare, and infrastructure. Technically, the work benefits from a diverse toolkit, including HB, 2B, and 6B pencils, which create the dramatic muscular definition and the crumbling, dusty texture of the land. The inclusion of a subtle red colored pencil and green highlights adds just enough contrast to make the message pop. Ultimately, this is more than just a character study; it is a desperate, creative plea for a hero like Midoriya to intervene before a nation disappears into dust.
Congratulations to the winners! 🎉
Remember, the contest is ongoing! Tomorrow, we’ll publish a post showcasing this week’s submissions. Join the YAF - Young Art Fair Community and support our project! Let’s celebrate creativity together. 🎨✨
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We can’t wait to see your incredible creations! Let’s build something amazing together. 🎨✨
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