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Deshan Walallavita expands his forte –  emerges runner-up at IHC Art Awards – By Clifford Lazarus   Gold-medallist at the Special Olympic World Games held in Abu Dhabi three years ago and now preparing for the Special Olympics National Summer Games in December, Deshan Walallavita wowed judges at the IHC Art Awards 2021 competition with his acrylic painting of a “Freisian Cow” to claim second prize. The panel of judges comprised Judy Darragh renowned for her brightly coloured sculptural assemblages, collage, video, photography, and poster art who came to prominence in the 1980s; Paul Hartigan,  a well-known entity within contemporary New Zealand art whose successful career spans five decades and  Otis Frizzell, an artist with a diverse, irrepressible talent and colourful personality. For the first three years of the IHC Art Awards, Deshan produced self-portraits and was knocking on the door of success repeatedly finishing within the top ten from over 400 entries.  ...