The Lester Prize Main Awards exhibition was held at The Art Gallery of Western Australia from 31 October to 29 November 2020.
Serena Cowie, The conversation
Judges comment, provided by Dr Clarissa Ball, Chris Malcom and Ian Strange:
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 comment, provided by Dr Clarissa Ball, Chris Malcom and Ian Strange:
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 comment, provided by Dr Clarissa Ball, Chris Malcom and Ian Strange:
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
Artist statement:
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 comment, provided by Dr Clarissa Ball, Chris Malcom and Ian Strange:
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
Artist statement:
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 comment, provided by Dr Clarissa Ball, Chris Malcom and Ian Strange:
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.
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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