The Lester Prize 2021
This work ‘Through you’ was the standout portrait. The use of scale and tight composition was supported by the pristine surface, focus of the artist and the subject’s character shines through. The rendering of the subject is incredibly sensitive and reveals the compassion of the artist towards the subject.
Alan Dodge, Clothilde Bullen and Helen Carroll
2021 Judges
Sidney Tapia Through you 2020.
Oil on wooden board, 22 x 22 cm.
The Richard Lester Prize for Portraiture Winner | $50,000
Sidney Tapia
Artist statement
As a multi-disciplinary artist, I’m captivated by creation. I consider it a high privilege to collaborate with the subject of my works. I hope to compliment their beauty, imparting a wonderful reflection and appreciation to the viewer.
About the subject
Siaosi Feiloakitau, known as Sia, is a very gentle, easy going and humble man I met on Pitt Street in the Sydney CBD while he was asking passers-by for spare change. He lives a very simple life, worked a warehouse job and enjoyed playing rugby league when he was younger. Originally from Tonga, he now resides in Sydney.
Main Awards Virtual Exhibition—2021 Finalists
About the Prize
The Lester Prize is managed by The Lester Inc, a not-for-profit organisation founded in 2007 to provide an avenue for artists to exhibit works of portraiture within Western Australia. With an annual prize pool worth over $100,000, it is now one of the nation’s most recognised and prestigious art prizes.
The Lester Prize pool includes $50,000 cash, $15,000 Tony Fini Foundation Artist Prize (selected by artists’ peers), the $10,000 People’s Choice Prize kindly donated by the Baldock Family (selected by the general public), the $10,000 Minderoo Foundation Spirit Prize (selected by the Minderoo Foundation), the $5,000 Ashhurst Emerging Artist prize (selected by our judges), $5,000 Barton Family Foundation Installers’ Prize (chosen by AGWA installers) and two Highly Commended Prizes which will be awarded $2,000 cash, a $550 domestic art transport voucher, $500 framing voucher and $250 art supplies voucher each.
Working with government, peak arts bodies and community groups, it plays a critical role in helping to diversify WA’s local economy, grow cultural tourism, and activate spaces through creative placemaking. The Lester Prize is proud to provide locals and visitors with the opportunity to engage with the best of the artform each year in a format that puts the artists and community front-and-centre. The Lester Prize’s exhibitions and public events program is targeted at diverse groups in the community and includes artist floor talks, workshops, live art demonstrations and pop-up community activations across the city.
The Prize advocates for Australian art and artists through a full month-long exhibition season, which includes:
- Main Exhibition of finalists artworks at AGWA’s historic Centenary Galleries 16 Oct – 29 Nov 2021
- Big Screen Displays at various locations around Perth including Northbridge Piazza and Myer Forrest Chase runs Oct – Nov 2021
- Virtual Gallery, online events and creative resources
- Youth Exhibition of finalist artworks at Brookfield Place Tower 2 (123-125 St Georges Tce, Perth) runs from 18 Oct – 12 Nov 2021
- Outdoor Community Exhibitions at Perth Cultural Centre and Brookfield Place runs until 29 Nov 2021
