Nathan Paddison 37 go in on ate 2020 (detail). Oil stick, acrylic, charcoal and pencil on canvas, 179 x 112 cm.
The Lester Prize is one of the country’s most recognised and prestigious fine art prizes – an award that places artists and community proudly front-and-centre.
This year's forty finalists were chosen from more than 750 entries received from artists across Australia.
Amongst the finalists works are 15 self-portraits, with the common theme of self-reflection and isolation as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Famous sitters include twin sisters from pop duo The Veronicas, popular WA premier Mark McGowan, and Dr Helen Haines MP. Other works portray family members, inspirational men and women, past sporting greats and Indigenous elders.
This years' portrait selection is convincingly human, personal, emotional and reveals a part of the life and story of each individual.
