WINNING!!! I have achieved the goal of being in a National portrait photography exhibition! Being self-employed means I don’t experience typical career promotions, so entering awards has become my way of validating my progress and recognising my achievements. It’s how I measure my growth and continue to push myself forward in my field.
Out of over 600 submissions, I am fortunate enough to be one of the 72 finalists chosen be exhibited at the renowned Tweed Regional Gallery from Friday, 14th July 2023 for the Olive Cotton Award for photographic portraiture.
Let me share a little about my captivating subject: Wendy Sharpe AM. In 1998, Wendy was the most colourful and interesting painting and life drawing teacher at the National Art School. Wendy taught me the cathartic power of documenting emotions and visually exploring with paint, collage and drawing. With her guidance, I began exploring the enchanting world of self-portraits, infused with elements of magic and mysterious characters, some real, some imagined.
On 12th June 2023, Wendy Sharpe was awarded the Order of Australia for significant service to visual arts and the community. https://kingstreetgallery.com.au/wendy-sharpe-appointed-member-am-of-the-order-of-australia-2023/
This is one of my portraits from the series – see below, but I entered a different one.
Every day I walk past her Women’s Empowerment Mural on the way to my son’s school, right in the heart of Newtown. Wendy’s art is all around us. Later this month, Wendy will be featured in a solo show at Art Gallery of NSW https://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/whats-on/exhibitions/wendy-sharpe/
Wendy Sharpe is renowned for her vibrant and emotive art that delves deeply into the essence of human experiences. Her ascent in the art world was marked by a significant milestone in 1996 when she claimed the prestigious Archibald Prize, becoming the first woman to win with a self-portrait. In 1999, she broke another barrier as the first woman appointed as an official war artist by the Australian War Memorial since World War II, with her assignment to East Timor. Over four decades, Sharpe has mounted more than 70 solo exhibitions, including the Portia Geach Memorial Award. Her dynamic and heartfelt engagement with art has also allowed her to shine a light on important social issues, ranging from women’s health to the plight of asylum seekers.
The Olive Cotton finalist portrait is of Wendy at her sink, surrounded by momentos, found objects and a dusty mirror, complete with a dead spider we shall name Graham.
Becoming a finalist in an award with my portrait of contemporary artist Wendy Sharpe creates a beautiful synergy. This prestigious prize honours the life’s work of devoted photographer Olive Cotton. Despite lacking access to a darkroom, Olive Cotton persevered and captured stunning images for over two decades. As her career progressed, she focused on printing and rediscovering her artistic journey at the Australian Centre for Photography (ACP) https://www.acp.org.au/
culminating in a retrospective exhibition at AGNSW in 2000 and Wendy is achieving this 24 years later. During my art school days, I volunteered at the Australian Centre for Photography in exchange for photography darkroom access to process film. Like Olive Cotton and Wendy Sharpe, I discovered my passion for art and photography early on, and it has blossomed into a lifelong pursuit. This journey is fueled by my relentless desire for transformation and discovery, guiding me as I explore new dimensions of creativity and expression. Being selected as a finalist holds great significance for me as a woman, an artist and alumni graduate of the National Art School https://futurestudents.nas.edu.au/.
Most importantly, I deeply desire for my youngest and soulfully creative son to see me thriving in what I love, celebrating the joy of art and the vibrancy of life!
I was fortunate enough to exhibit the portrait again recently at Tortuga Studios Dis/ruption exhibition https://tortugastudios.org.au/ where I have my studio space for photographing families, maternity, boudoir and corporate headshots.
