Title

Black Swan Prize for portraiture,

Venues

Art Gallery of Western Australia. (1 November 2017 – 27 November 2017)

Date

(2017)

Summary

Multi-artist exhibition. Located: Australia (WA).

Curator

Dunja Rmandic, Associate Curator Projects, Art Gallery of Western Australia

Abstract

Now in its 11th year, the Black Swan Prize for Portraiture is one of Australia’s richest portraiture prizes, featuring the $50,000 First Prize donated by the Lester Group, $10,000 Tony Fini Foundation Artist Prize, and $7,500 People’s Choice Prize donated by the Baldock Family. A strong diversity of styles was once again showcased in this year’s selection, from photographic realism to abstractionism. Self-portraits and studies of family members sat alongside high-profile subjects including cricketer Nathan Lyon, Academy Award-winning animator Adam Elliot, and performance artist Stelarc. Artist Jana Vodesil-Baruffi from Shelley, Western Australia, was announced as the winner of the 2017 Black Swan Prize for Portraiture for her work titled Black swan and was awarded the First Prize of $50,000. Artist Nick Stathopoulos from NSW was announced as the People’s Choice winner for his portrait of lawyer Deng Thiak Adut titled Deng 2. Nick wins $7,500 donated by the Baldock Family, finalising the 2017 awards for WA’s only portrait prize. Marie Mansfield from NSW for her work titled Mertim received the Tony Fini Foundation Artist Prize of $10,000. In the studio (self-portrait) by Natasha Walsh from NSW and Till death us by Effie Pryer from Tasmania were highly commended with each artist receiving a $500 art supplies voucher donated by H.U Kendall & Co. [Gallery media, 2017].