Emerging from the Shadows

by Holly Field

JUDGES COMMENTS

This painting offers a rich and expressive use of medium, while focussing on the essential content: a sincere and human treatment of a unique protagonist.

Keeping Up with the Heelers

by Alissa Lamb

JUDGES COMMENTS

The Heeler family seems to have captured the attention of parents around the world. It’s overwhelmingly ‘Aussie’ and regularly promotes iconic Brisbane locations. However, by illuminating what good and perfect parenting should look like in a progressive nation, it also ironically sheds light on a standard that’s impossible to maintain. There is no doubt that Alissa’s technical skill with acrylic paint and canvas is outstanding, but the strong narrative that her work is built upon is its cornerstone. This allowed me to make personal connections to the despondent pose of the self-perceived ‘imperfect’ father.
Whilst many portraits give the sitter direct power via a more traditional static pose, Alissa has disarmed the audience by capturing her husband disengaging. Tension is elicited by the combination of a smiling mask and his discouraged facial expression.
I find gravitas in this insightful painting that communicates a new vision of what parenting looks like, and the associated challenges it reveals.

I Am Still Here (Self Portrait)

by Zoe Willey

JUDGES COMMENTS

I like the simplicity and the honesty of this work and it is obviously about overcoming adversity, but it is ultimately optimistic. I think the fact that it is uncluttered helps.

She Remembers

by Lara Cooper