SEMI-FINALIST at THE LESTER PRIZE

I’m so excited to be selected as semi-finalist with my self-portrait “39” (Acrylic on canvas, 30x30cm, 2018) for The Lester Prize, biggest portraiture art prize in Wester Australia. The Lester Prize in Portraiture ( until 2018 known as The Black Swan Prize) has significant role in portraiture scene in all Australia, it is one of the country’s richest prizes in Portraiture. The finalists' artworks will be on display at AGWA (Art Gallery of Western Australia), Perth in the Centenary Galleries from 9 November to 9 December 2019, Semi-finalists work will be exhibited on display outside AGWA, Salon des Refusés.

BACKGROUND
The idea of the Salon des Refusés originated in Paris in the nineteenth century when works by Avant-Garde artists were not accepted into exhibitions organised by the establishment. This led to artists mounting their own exhibitions, where they achieved great success.
The Lester Prize initiated the Salon in 2013 and our Art On The Big Screen collection in 2017, in response to the high number of entries submitted to the Prize that were not selected as finalists for the Main Awards. This alternative collection is popular with audiences and works are selected for their quality, diversity, and often exciting or witty approach to portraiture.

ARTIST STATEMENT

I painted this portrait one year ago, I was 39 years old. It was the last year in my thirties, I felt very strongly in myself to acknowledge that moment, how I am and feel about myself at this stage of life. Self-portrait has always been important part of my art study practice, it is like seasons in nature, how my own nature changes and evolves.