Artist: Peteris Ciemitis
Subject: Robyn Archer
Title: Archer

Judges’ Comments:

Carl Altmann, Stefano Carboni, Helen Cook

“This year’s award goes to a work which attracted all three judges who were extremely pleased with the incisive depiction of the sitter. The colours are subtle while the finer details are suggestive of the underlying structure of the sitter’s features. In addition there is that delightful essential which is the assured ability to draw. It was Michelangelo who maintained that before one could paint, one must be able to draw, which means that the artist has to be skilled in observation and engagement with the sitter. The painting invites the viewer to come in close as though to examine the landscape of the face.”