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2010 Winner Ashley Bodell, Elsewhere
A portrait of my little sister, Sophie. Bored, weary, deep in contemplation or simply off with the fairies; truth be told no one knows and no one ever will. But, despite her vacant expression, the gaze of her big, blue, enchanting eyes is engaging and somewhat personal. I hope her stare can transcend the layers of paint and collection of colours that characterise her animated and youthful personality. I think everyone has had this feeling at one stage or another and can identify with the feeling of being neither here nor there, but simply... elsewhere. |
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2010 Runner-up Rachael Gates, Michael Fortescue
Michael Fortescue is an enigmatic Hobart identity. As you navigate the city footpaths you might catch a glimpse of him, scarf-clad, double bass strapped to his back, skillfully ducking under shopfront awnings and weaving through the crowds. Or, perhaps you have noticed him achieving the seemingly impossible task of fitting a double bass into the tiniest of cars parked outside the concert hall. He is undoubtedly a striking figure. Someone you notice not for the usual reasons of being loud or brash, but rather because he has an air of calm and thoughtful purpose. I first became acquainted with Michael several years ago when I was seeking music lessons, as I had just started playing the double bass. I realised he would make an ideal subject for my ongoing series of portraits of musicians. Michael has dedicated many years to the double bass and has been a member of the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra for over thirty years. Michael's chosen instrument has a formidable presence; it has a visceral resonance and its huge form is unavoidable. It looms in the corner of a room more like a living being than a static object. I have attempted to bring this same presence to my portrait without depicting the double bass itself. There are no averted eyes, props nor detailed background in which the viewer can take refuge. The gaze is like a musician's performance, exposed and direct. You may feel connected or confronted. All that remains is you and the portrait – looking at each other. |
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2010 Sponsors Choice Agnieszka Sikorska-Meilkle, Happiness
"If you want to be happy, just be." Hello, my friend. Guess what? I finally did it. I painted a portrait of my son Kuba. This idea has been with me for a long time, but I never felt ready for it. As you are aware, children change so fast, especially in a mother's eye. After some time and thought, I decided not to paint a traditionally posed, realistic portrait, as that belongs to art history. I wanted to capture his active personality, so I stopped and imagined what Kuba is like. He has this amazing energy that allows him to be everywhere, here one moment, then over there and back here again. My boy smiles at me, takes my hand and leads me to the world of happiness, where we can walk on air without falling down. Delighted and happy. That is how my painting was created. Hope you like it. I wish you to find the happiness too. |
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2010 People's Choice Rachael Gates, Michael Fortescue |
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| (See 2010 Runner-up above) | |||
