We are thrilled to present this year’s Pre-selection Panellists. This dynamic group of professionals will select the 40 Finalists for the 2026 Lester Prize to be exhibited at the Western Australian Museum Boola Bardip from 10 October – 29 November 2026.
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.
Tori Benz is a visual artist based in Walyalup (Fremantle), Western Australia, on Whadjuk Noongar Country.
Her artistic practice is focused on notions around the fragility of the human experience through the lens of domestic relationships and motherhood. She is interested in the dualistic tension that arise from intricate structures of power and care. Her work highlights these concepts through the use of traditional drawing and painting media that is often weighted precariously on the picture surface to speak of shifting realities between various entities.
Working from a range of sources such as family photography, film stills and online imagery, the figure is utilised in a way that extends itself beyond the individual, allowing symbolism to tease out larger concepts extending to spaces of survival, guilt, adaptation, judgement and transformation. While the subjects of her portraits carry unique narratives, she renders them to convey universal ideas. A defiant glance, a tilted head, or the quiet grief of a tear-stained face transcends the individual; the figure becomes a vessel for our shared human experience.
Benz completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts at Curtin University of Technology in 2000, followed by Honours in 2002. Her work is held in private collections both nationally and internationally, and her illustrations have been featured in commercial branding and advertising campaigns. Benz has exhibited widely in group and award exhibitions across Australia.
In addition to her artistic practice, Benz serves as a Lecturer within the Painting and Drawing Discipline in the Department of Art, School of Media, Creative Arts and Social Inquiry at Curtin University.
Andy Quilty is an artist, independent arts worker and Lecturer in Fine Arts at the University of Western Australia.
He works across the state facilitating creative development workshops in Aboriginal art centres, schools, community organisations, not-for-profits and prisons.
Quilty’s practice incorporates socially engaged projects that empower and improve arts access for individuals and communities experiencing socio-economic disparity.
He has a Bachelor of Arts (Art) from Curtin University and a Master of Fine Arts (Research) from the University of Western Australia.
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.
Katelyn Whitehurst is a Wardandi, Menang Noongar woman through her Father’s Mother. She was born to Wardandi Noongar Boodja in Bunbury WA, being a saltwater woman, she spends all the time she can in the ocean and out on Country. Katelyn has a passion for supporting the Southwest Noongar community to the best of her ability whether it be through art or language – her Nan (Rose Whitehurst) being her biggest influence; being a huge advocate for Noongar Language in the Southwest.
Katelyn’s artwork often represents the importance of language in Aboriginal Culture and the strength of family connection. Her practice sees all mediums and forms, inspired by her culture and Country, she describes herself as a storyteller. With her artwork exploring expression and feeling, using bold colours, abstracted forms and installations of household objects to convey her ideas – my ideas are what influences the shape of my work.
Katelyn has previously curated the annual Noongar Country Exhibition held at the Bunbury Regional Gallery, making her curatorial debut in 2021. Transforming gallery spaces into a journey of story, informed by her cultural knowledge and guided by Elders. She even created a living room inspired by her Nan’s home, inviting exhibition goers to share, create and connect in the space – not only with the show but each other. Katelyn hopes to take the viewer on an adventure, leaving them with an emotion or story they didn’t yet have when they first entered exhibiting spaces.
Ph 08 9423 5116
PO Box 1110
Nedlands WA 6909
