We’re honoured and delighted to announce the expert judging panel for The Lester Prize 2025.
This year’s panel will bring their unique experience to the competition. They will select the winners of the Richard Lester Prize for Portraiture ($50,000), the Ashurst Emerging Artist Prize ($5,000) and a Highly Commended Prize (up to $3,000) which will be exhibited at WA Museum, Boola Bardip from 19 September – 16 November 2025.
Dr Christopher Allen is an art critic and historian. A graduate of the University of Sydney, Christopher has worked at the Collège de France in Paris and the National Art School, and is currently Senior Master in Academic Extension at Sydney Grammar School.
He is the author of Art in Australia from Colonisation to Postmodernism (1997), French Painting in the Golden Age (2003) and several other books, including Jeffrey Smart: Unpublished Paintings 1940-2007 (2008).
He was art critic of the Australian Financial Review from 2005 to 2008 and since 2008 has been national art critic for The Australian.
Susanna is an Associate Professor at Curtin University, where she is Director of the John Curtin Gallery.
An accomplished artist, lecturer, writer, and HDR supervisor, Susanna is an active member of the Australian arts community and previously held the position of Dean of Research in the Faculty of Humanities. Widely recognised for her dedication to developing and supporting others through various academic and community roles, Susanna brings extensive experience as both an academic and creative researcher.
Her award-winning artwork is held in numerous public collections, and she maintains a strong track record of engagement across the creative industries and tertiary education sector. Susanna is a member of the Print Council of Australia and served as a Director on the Board of PICA for over five years.
Margaret Moore is the Director and Founder of Moore Contemporary, following a distinguished career in curatorial practice and arts management with a focus on contemporary art.
Since its launch, Moore Contemporary has delivered over 50 projects, represents 20 artists, and has participated in major Australian art fairs. Moore has contributed to significant public art commissions, advisory roles, publications, and exhibitions, and has served on several arts boards.
Previously, she was Curator and Program Manager for Visual Arts at Perth Festival (2008–2015), held key roles at the Art Gallery of Western Australia, the Art Gallery of New South Wales, and the National Gallery of Australia.
We are thrilled to present this year’s Pre-selection Panellists. This dynamic group of professionals will select the 40 Finalists for the 2025 Lester Prize to be exhibited at WA Museum, Boola Bardip.
Daevid Anderson is a contemporary realist painter currently living and working in Perth, Western Australia. Daevid is a six-time finalist in the Lester Prize/Black Swan Prize for Portraiture, most recently in 2024.
Daevid has also been a finalist in the Shirley Hannan Portrait Prize twice, picking up the Mailroom Prize in 2018, and a semi‑finalist in the Doug Moran National Portrait Prize, along with numerous other prizes across Australia and internationally.
Sought after for both his portraiture and still life pieces, Daevid’s work is held in private collections across Australia and the United States.
Amanda is a Badamia Yamatji and Yued Noongar artist woman living and working on Wardandi land in Goomburrup.
I seek to engage with others by telling stories in a way that is ‘right way’ for me as an Aboriginal person and artist, and to make a contribution to making spaces culturally safe in the arts and beyond.
Inspired by my personal experiences of ‘otherness’ and the ongoing dialogue about the position, definition and lives of Aboriginal people , I attempt to say something about the use of language and its role in the creation and maintenance of power structures.
I also honour the rage.
A neon glass sculpture form is the emerging artist’s first acquisition into the State Art Collection currently on display at the Art Gallery of Western Australia. Titled From our lip, mouths, throat and belly, the bright pink work takes the form of the Noongar word “Moorditj”, which means good or strong in English.
A sound work accompanying the sculpture plays the voices of Elders from her home-town of Undalup sharing their stories. The work reflects on the weight of words, and the power of language in connecting with one’s cultural and familial heritage.
From our lip, mouths, throats and belly premiered at Fremantle Arts Centre’s (FAC) 2021 Revealed Exhibition, an annual showcase of Western Australia’s emerging Aboriginal artists. The work has gained iconic status and is an innovative use of neon glass.
In 2022 Amanda was a finalist in the John Stringer Art Prize at John Curtin Gallery, showed work at The Goods Shed, Bunbury Regional Art Gallery and Lawrence Wilson Art Gallery as well curated Noongar Country 2022, an annual exhibition at BRAG showcasing the work of Aboriginal artists working on Noongar boodja.
In 2023, Amanda had work in a group exhibition Emergences at the Holmes a Court Gallery at Vasse Felix and along-side Lee Kinsella, curated at the Lawrence Wilson Art Gallery for the Gallery’s second season KANANGOOR/Shimmer. She was also commissioned to create a work for this exhibition entitled ……..and the crow is we., an installation work featuring projection and soundcape.
Between 2023-2025 Amanda was awarded best overall at the South West Art, Now Exhibition at Bunbury Regional Art Gallery, and was included in group exhibitions at Old Courthouse Gallery, Port Hedland (Residency), John Curtin Gallery, Goolugatup/Heathcoate, Holmes a Court Gallery (Vasse Felix), Noongar Country 24 (Curatorium) and at PICA (Judith Wheeler Commission).
Mark Parfitt is an artist, academic, and advocate for visual arts in Western Australia. He serves as the Major Lead for the Bachelor of Creative Arts Fine Art major within the Faculty of Humanities at Curtin University, focusing on enhancing teaching practices, improving curriculum standards, and developing inclusive learning opportunities for diverse student groups.
With over two decades of experience, Mark has exhibited in major arts institutions such as the Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts (PICA), Fremantle Arts Centre, Artspace (NSW), Goolugatup Heathcote, PS Art Space, Gallery Central (TAFE), and Galerie Dusseldorf. His work has received support from numerous state and national grants, residencies, and prizes, including the City of Joondalup Invitational Art Prize, Bankwest Art Prize, Fremantle Print Award, and Nillumbik Prize for Contemporary Art.
Mark is actively involved in the arts community, holding positions such as Chair of the City of South Perth Arts Advisory Committee and Community Representative for the Town of Victoria Park Arts Advisory Group. He is also the University Representative for the Years 11/12 Visual Arts Curriculum Advisory Committee for SCASA, Government of Western Australia. His contributions extend to community art projects and judging panels for exhibitions held by local government, secondary schools, and community groups. Parfitt is affiliated with the National Association for the Visual Arts (NAVA) and Artsource. His works are featured in the John Curtin Art Gallery, the State Library of Western Australia, and numerous private art collections.
Annie is an arts manager who has dedicated her expertise to organisations and initiatives that build stronger communities.
She is currently Partnerships Manager for the Indian Ocean Craft Triennial.
Annie was recently the Executive Director of The Lester Prize, one of Australia’s most prestigious art prizes, guiding its strategic direction and growth.
Helen Simondson is a cultural producer focused on art, technology, and innovation. Currently the Manager of the WA Museum Boola Bardip prior to this role Helen work at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image as Head of Public and Education programs and a co-designer of ACMI Xcel, Australia’s first museum led coworking space and business accelerator.
Helen specialises in engaging diverse audiences through technology and participatory culture. Helen is skilled in leading multi-disciplinary teams, strategic direction and in delivering innovative programs that generate meaningful cultural impact.
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