Sophie Scott, of Kingston, who won the young artist award in the Aspiring Art Awards in Wanaka yesterday with Abattoir Blues. Photo by Matthew Haggart.

Art student Sophie Scott, of Kingston, won the inaugural young artist category at the Aspiring Art Awards in Wanaka yesterday evening.

The overall award, worth $5000, went to Queenstown artist Jennifer Majeske for her painting Deer Park.

Ms Majeske, who won the first Aspiring Art Award five years ago, was not present at the 2011 gala opening last night.

Ms Scott, a fourth-year fine arts student at Canterbury University's School of Fine Art, said it was unusual to have work exhibited as an undergraduate.

The win, with Abattoir Blues, is the second of her fledgling art career - she won a new artist's award in Arrowtown last year.

More than 80 artists entered works in the competition.

A condition of entry is they must live in the South Island.

The entries were judged by artist Helen Calder, of Christchurch, and Dunedin School of Art printmaking head Neil Emmerson.

Ms Calder said Ms Majeske's winning work displayed technical skill, confidence, and contained intriguing mythological concepts which kept drawing the viewer back to ask questions.