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From a record number of 484 artist entries, 40 finalists have been chosen for the 2016 Black Swan Prize for Portraiture – Western Australia’s only portrait prize.
The 40 artists will now be vying for $70,000 worth of prizes – including the main $50,000 Lester Group Prize, $10,000 Toni Fini Foundation Artist Prize, the $7,500 Amana Living People’s Choice Prize and two Highly Commended $500 gift vouchers from HU Kendall & Co.
The Black Swan Prize for Portraiture is the third richest prize in Australia behind the Archibald and Moran competitions. Now in its tenth year, artists were invited to submit portraits of an Australian, or Australians that they respect or admire (interestingly, there are 13 self-portraits).
Amongst the finalists were 13 West Australian artists, including award winning artist Brendon Darby whose self portrait cleverly portrays his face as part of the Australian landscape (see above image).
Portraits include first time finalist Kendal Gear with her exquisitely painted portrait of fellow artist Claudine Gueho and Tom Macbeth’s portrayal of Syd Kirkby, a highly regarded Australian surveyor and Antarctic explorer. Portraits of well-known Australian identities include Les Murray, Thomas Keneally, Ben Elton and the late Judy Cassab AO CBE, as well as local spud king Tony Galati.
The finalists’ works will be open to the public as part of The Art Gallery of Western Australia’s Portraiture Month from 8 to 31 2016, with the Lester Group Prize, and the Artist Prize being announced on Friday 14 October 2016. The Amana Living People’s Choice Prize will be announced towards the end of the exhibition.
44 youth entries were also chosen from 39 schools, and these works will be on display both at Brookfield Place and Perth Cultural Centre from 3 to 21 October 2016.
The Black Swan Prize for Portraiture is brought to the WA public by ARTrinsic Inc – a not-for-profit organisation made up of dedicated people who are passionate about promoting and supporting visual arts in WA.
Brendon Darby, Down by the river
