The Brisbane Portrait Prize is all about celebrating Brisbane portrait artists and their sitters, while encouraging public engagement with the arts. Any artist with a connection to Brisbane is eligible to enter.
Finalists of the Brisbane Portrait Prize 2023 have been revealed, with 84 works selected from more than 600 entries in this year’s competition.
Now in its fifth year, the competition’s finalists will be vying across nine categories for a combined total of $90,000 in prize money, including the highly coveted $50,000 Lord Mayor’s Prize.
Brisbane Portrait Prize Chair Anna Reynolds said she is delighted with the variety of finalist works this year.
“The growth we’ve seen in the Brisbane Portrait Prize this year has been phenomenal, in terms of numbers, artistic maturity and variety,” Ms Reynolds said.
Now in its fifth year, it’s also wonderful to see the growth in the creative community around the BPP over that time, and the increasing public engagement,” Ms Reynolds said.
“The entrants are a mix of professional, emerging and hobbyist artists. There are plenty with national reputations like Jo Furlonger, Fiona Lowry, Tony Albert, Luther Cora, Robert Mercer, Keemon Williams, Dylan Mooney, Darren McDonald and Joachim Froese.
“Many of this year’s works depict families, children, aunties and best friends, with lots of
artists also submitting self-portraits and portraits of other artists.
“And of course, we have the usual smattering of performing artists, local heroes, and famous faces.”
Some of the more well-known sitters include:
- Celebrity chef, Alastair McLeod
- Founders of Trademutt – Dan Allen and Ed Ross
- Sculptor Rhyl Hinwood
- Australian cricketer Grace Harris
- Supermodel of inclusivity Madelaine Stuart
- Dr Dinesh Palipana
- Actor Liam Nunan, and
- NRL Legend Petero Civoniceva
This year has seen the largest number of First Nations entries, and also an increase in the Next Gen entries, for artists 18 and under.
Since 2019, more than 2500 entries have been considered by the Prize judges, with artists coming from all walks of life.
The exhibition will open to the public at Brisbane Powerhouse on 28 September with Chief Judge, Suzanne Cotter, Director Museum of Contemporary Art Australia announcing the winners on Tuesday 3 October.
Image: GLVES – Jason Starr, Photograph, 50cm x 70cm
