PORTRAITURE PRIZE WINNERS - 2014

$50,000 Lester Group Prize 

Artist: Iain Dean

Subject: Pilar Mata Dupont

Title: Pilar Mata Dupont

The artist has managed to capture a contemplative moment in the subject’s portrait. The face’s skin left mostly unpainted, the impression is that it is almost a reverse or photographically negative image, with spare but colourful minimalist strokes to create a very essential portrait. There is a real sense of ease and lightness. It is not overworked nor labored, thus bringing a directness to it.  It has a very contemporary feel without getting away from a recognizable representation of the subject. The subject seems to be deep in thought – and for a portrait that is so essentially presented, to be able to communicate that inner life, to say a lot with very little, is a real achievement. 

$7,500 St John of God Health Care People's Choice Prize

Artist:  Joel Rea
Subject: Chris Hemsworth
Title: Chris Hemsworth 

Highly Commended Winners

The first Highly Commended is awarded to a work that has great sensitivity and shows the subject’s gentle and comfortable personality.

In the second Highly Commended work the artist has been able to portray the subject with a minimalist approach avoiding to indicate any kind of background, at the same time revealing his complexity through a ghostly double-portrait.

Judges Comments:
The judges were impressed also with the essentiality of the third Highly Commended work. The artist has aptly captured the inner silent world in which the deaf sitter lives. The judges appreciated in particular the contrast between the softness and quietness of the sitter’s face and the sharpness of the patterned fabric she is wearing.