The Lester Prize Main Awards exhibition was held at St John of God Subiaco Hospital and St John of God Murdoch Hospital from 6 January to 8 February 2021.
See the pre-selection and judging panel here.
Serena Cowie, The conversation
Judges’ comments:
The polished execution of The conversation and the portrayal of the intimacy between these two larger-than-life women, offer a compelling insight into the nature of friendship in an era of social and digital media. The exquisitely refined facture of this painting is perfectly attuned to the temporal sensibilities of our technological age.
Daevid Anderson, The dying slave-study
Judges’ comments:
Daevid Anderson utilises extraordinary technical skill to craft a compelling portrait of a fellow artist that successfully reveals a deep sense of the sitter’s own creative sensitivities and sense of self.
Joshua Cocking, Making plants (a portrait of Franque)
Judges’ comments:
In his majestic Portrait of Franque, Joshua Cocking situates the noble banality of everyday life alongside colonial representations of the Australian landscape. In so doing he elevates his neighbour Franque into an almost heroic figure who humbly commands a skillfully painted illusion of collaged make-believe landscapes.
Sebastian Galloway Warm air, cool light
I commenced “Warm air, cool light” in February 2020 before the arrival of COVID-19 in Australia. The portrait had a purpose then but, like everyone, I had no clue how life’s plans would soon rapidly change. Created for a painting workshop where people would, now unimaginably, gather less than 1.5m apart. My subject, Pirrin had just returned from visiting family interstate—something she now longs for but cannot easily do. Having completed this portrait in July, the work has now come to represent both a period in time and our collective experience.
Stacey Evangelou, Warrior
Judges’ comments:
The work is an exemplary reflection of the values advocated by the Minderoo Foundation Spirit Prize. It’s a remarkable work that demonstrates the care and empathy between the portraitist and the subject. The work acknowledges the resilience of First Nations people, and celebrates Joe’s personal courage and determination.
Jess Le Clerc, Shadow and bloom
Shadow and bloom” is a portrait of my three daughters—Eden, Jewel and Summer. One day, I watched them jump into the dam by our house. They were playing in the calm waters with the blooms while being drawn in by the shadows of the murky waters.
Kierah Falkner Babbel, Race car ya ya
Judges’ comments:
This effervescent portrayal of Robyn and Karl Babbel speaks to the joy of life and familial relationships. Surrounded by a cornucopia of personal belongings, this couple’s flamboyance is conveyed with a quiet and respectful tenderness that is astutely balanced against a bold and courageous use of colour.
Hear the stories behind selected portraits featured in the 2020 exhibition.
Large print version of our 2020 Exhibition artist statements for individuals who are visually impaired.
Willie Ackerman • Daevid Anderson • Jill Ansell • Elizabeth Barden • Anthony Bartok • Sam Broadhurst • Filippa Buttitta • Thomas Chandler • Doreen Chapman • Rachel Coad • Joshua Cocking • Daniel Connell • Serena Cowie • Jaye Early • Stacey Evangelou • Kierah Falkner Babbel • Sebastian Galloway • Indra Geidans • Andrea Huelin • Sean Hutton • Janne Kearney • Kate Kurucz • Jess Le Clerc • Fiona O’Byrne • Michael O’Connell • Nicole O’Loughlin • Sid Pattni • Lynn Savery • Oliver Shepherd • Lauren Snowden • Craig Soulsby • Loribelle Spirovski • Nick Stathopoulos • Zoe Sydney • Jill Talbot • Wade Taylor • Datsun Tran • Ordella Wall • Marcus Wills • Jonathan Woolven
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