Veterans triumph at Brisbane Portrait Prize
A charming family portrait by one of Queensland’s most renowned artists has taken out the top gong at this year’s Brisbane Portrait Prize.
Interesting to note that several senior artists have been acknowledged in this year’s Brisbane Portrait Prize. Respected Brisbane artist Pat Hoffie, now in her early 70s, has won the big award with her oil on canvas depiction of the artist with her parents at her father’s 101st birthday celebration.
Her portrait, Family Birthday (QLD), took home the highly coveted $50,000 Lord Mayor’s Prize. And two other veterans – David Paulson and Joe Furlonger – have been highly commended. It is nice to see that the judge this year, Jonathan McBurnie, has an eye for substance.
This makes me think of country singer Hank Thompson’s 1974 hit song, The Older the Violin the Sweeter the Music. Indeed.
Pat Hoffie who is one of Queensland’s most accomplished artists and whose work is currently showing at FireWorks Gallery in Bowen Hills, says she is grateful to be recognised in such a way within the arts community.
“I feel a great deal of gratitude to be amidst a community of people who strive to make stories that connect people to each other,” Hoffie says. “I feel deeply privileged to be part of a community that gives in such a way. I think that the beauty of an exhibition like Brisbane Portrait Prize is that you see faces first, and then you are immediately jettisoned to things like emotions, memories, places, associations, connections.
“You may not know each person, but there is something in each image that falls to you in a way that wouldn’t happen at another sort of exhibition – people plus place equals community, and in this divided world we are in, we need a sense of community more than we ever have.”
Chief judge of this year’s prize, Jonathon McBurnie, director of Launceston’s Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery, says Hoffie’s painting is a graphically sumptuous image of a joyful and intimate family moment.
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“It’s a very considered piece that shows great tenderness and emphasises the necessity of family and relationships, set amongst a lush backdrop of unfolding green of trees, party hats, and pavlova heaped with fruit,” McBurnie says.
“The colour is dialled up several notches to evoke a sense of verdance and humidity and reflect Queensland’s bright natural light, ultimately giving great vibrancy to an intimate moment of family celebration. The work reflects the push and pull between painting, drawing and photography, but is ultimately united through the breezy mark making and familiar composition.”
Brisbane Portrait Prize chair Anna Reynolds says the value of the prize, year after year, is the variety of individual human stories, as well as the collective story it tells of a time and a place.
“You’ll find symbolism, humour, vulnerability, joy and a yearning for authenticity and real connection,” Reynolds says. “There’s also admiration – behind the portraits is a respect and reverence for the sitters and their stories.
“Collectively, these stories celebrate our city and community, encompassing a sense of home, belonging, identity, place, and unique human connections. Some push the definitions of contemporary portraiture, while others reference painters from past centuries and their ongoing legacies. Together, they present a snapshot of our city.”
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner says Brisbane Portrait Prize “is one of our city’s cultural highlights, celebrating the people and stories that make Brisbane such a great place to live”.
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Other category winners announced include:
Glenn Hunt’s portrait of Dean Clifford, Dean – Veracity Digital and Photography Prize.
Rebekah Walkarden’s portrait of Dr Maarit Harden, Heal-All – Sylvia Jones Prize for Women Artists.
Dane Beesley’s portrait of Uncle Bob Weatherall, The Fabric of Resistance – Performing Arts and Music Award.
Matthew Cheyne’s portrait of George Gittoes, George Gittoes after Grünewald – Packers Prize.
Genevieve Brady’s portrait of Vincent Flynn, My Light – Next Gen Prize (artists 18 and under).
Rachel Dioso-Villa’s self-portrait, Between the Lines – Metro Arts Experimental Portraiture Prize.
Elysia Love-Anderson’s self-portrait, Reflections – Emerging Artist.
Kate Wigginton’s self-portrait, Quiet Company – Emerging Artist.
David Paulson’s Self Portrait… with Reservations – Highly Commended.
Joseph Furlonger’s portrait Heidi Furlonger, Portrait of the Artist’s Wife – Highly Commended.
The Brisbane Portrait Prize Finalists Exhibition continues at the SLQ Gallery, State Library of Queensland, Cultural Centre, South Brisbane, until November 8.
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