Finalist in the Marie Ellis Drawing Prize

The latest piece in my 'Reverberate' series featuring artist Sarah Tracton has been selected as one of 25 finalists in the Marie Ellis Drawing Prize at Jugglers Art Space in Brisbane. 

A massive congratulations to Michael Armstrong , who won the overall prize for his stunning drawing 'The Traits of the Living (Dying)'. The exhibition will run from the 5th to the 27th of August. at 103 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane QLD.

Finalist in the Emerging Artist Award 2016

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My painting 'The Selfie' has been selected as a finalist in the 2016 Emerging Artist Award, presented by fortyfivedownstairs in conjunction with Future Leaders.

My piece will hang alongside 16 other artists’ work at the fortyfivedownstairs gallery, 45 Flinders Lane, Melbourne, until the 2nd of July.

I've included the written statement accompanying my work below for those who are unable to view the exhibition in person. It's a great privilege to be selected, and I wish all finalists the best of luck.

"In the time I’ve spent preparing this statement, 532,079 people have taken photos of their faces and uploaded them to Instagram using the hashtag #selfie. Never before in history have we had the tools to self-publish our daily minutia and bodies so explicitly. We share so much of ourselves via social media, but how much are selfies used as a device to hide what we are truly experiencing? In depicting the peculiar and often disturbing nature of the selfie’, my work takes aim at the selectively curated life. Painting on a polyester surface with artificial lighting, I intended to convey the more superficial and dark undertones of the selfie culture – the crafted and masked identity. I invite the viewer to consider the deeper meanings behind why individuals snap and share their selfies online. In effect, the painting is an exploration of the disparity between the authentic and disembodied virtual self."

Finalist in the Percival Portrait Painting Prize

My painting of musical theatre performer, Kerrie Anne Greenland, has been selected as a finalist for the biannual Percival Portrait Painting Prize in Townsville. 

It's a privilege to be hanging alongside such talent in this $40,000 aquisitive prize. 

Well done to Queensland-based artist Lisa Adams, who won the major prize with her intricately painted and surreal self-portrait 'Revelation' - and also to Barbara Cheshire who won the 150th local prize with her soulful painting, 'I Remember'. 

It's wonderful to see portraiture embraced so fondly by the people of Townsville. Thanks to everyone involved who makes this event happen.  The exhibition will run at the Perc Tucker Regional Gallery until the 10th of July. 

 
 
Photo courtesy of Kim Guthrie. 

Photo courtesy of Kim Guthrie. 

My painting of Kerrie Anne alongside Paul Jackson's portrait of iconic comedian Paul Livingston (aka 'Flacco'). 

My painting of Kerrie Anne alongside Paul Jackson's portrait of iconic comedian Paul Livingston (aka 'Flacco'). 

Finalist in the Calleen Art Award

I'm incredibly honoured to have my painting 'Transcendence' hanging in the 2016 Calleen Art Award.

This national acquisitive painting prize was established in 1977 by Patricia Fagan OAM, and is made possible by the generous support of the Calleen Trust.

The 2016 award was judged was John Cheeseman, the Director of Mosman Art Gallery. A big congratulations to Tania Mason, who took out the $19,000 prize with her sensitive and powerful gouache painting, 'Irregular Plasma'.

I was fortunate enough to attend the exhibition on the weekend at Cowra Regional Art Gallery, and it is a terrific show organised by lovely people.

 
 

Winner of the 2016 'Who Is Looking At You Portrait Prize'

I'm over the moon to have found out that my painting of Dr Gemma Olsson has won the 2016 'Who Is Looking At You Portrait Prize' hosted by Cambridge Studio Gallery in Collingwood, Melbourne.

The prize was judged by Goodwin Bradbeer and Yvette Coppersmith - two artists whose work I admire immensely. This is a great honour, and I'm incredibly grateful to Susan Gibson and Ness Alexandra from Cambridge Studio Gallery, Dr Olsson, the judges and all the wonderful finalists in this competition.

The portrait was also recently the subject of a news story in the Parramatta Sun and the Western Sydney Local Health District News.

I'll be holding a solo exhibition at Cambridge Studio Gallery in early 2017.

Judges Yvette Coppersmith and Goodwin Bradbeer. Photo courtesy of Cambridge Studio Gallery.

Judges Yvette Coppersmith and Goodwin Bradbeer. Photo courtesy of Cambridge Studio Gallery.

The portrait of Dr Gemma Olsson.

The portrait of Dr Gemma Olsson.

The Rocks Village Bizarre - Vlogging With Peter Baecker

It was an absolute blast recording this short video blog with the fabulous Peter Baecker last week. This unique performance artist/dancer/DJ and all-round entertainer is currently exhibiting as part of The Rocks Village Bizarre festival, hosting a 90s-themed dance party in the middle of Sydney's historic foreshore district every Friday night. I was fortunate enough to paint a portrait of Peter (and his spectacular hair), with the finished result on display in the Metcalf Arcade throughout December. Many thanks to Peter and The Rocks Pop Up for the Village Bizarre initiative, which has truly enriched this part of Sydney.