Congratulations to the winners of The Lester Prize 2023, Western Australia’s premier portrait prize with an increased prize pool of more than $115,000.
This year’s prize categories and winners include:
The Richard Lester Prize for Portraiture, $50,000 – Tarryn Gill
Judges’ comments provided by Alan R. Dodge AM, Gina Fairley, and Emma Bitmead:
“Tarryn Gill’s portrait Limber (self-portrait in relief) demonstrates a resolved artistic practice through its confidence of making and visual language. The work uses materials powerfully to present a harmonious bodily and gestural portrait. Confined within the picture frame, the figure folds in on itself, creating an arresting central vortex that pulls the viewer in. The eye emerges with a sense of mystery and ambiguity, locking connection with the viewer. While there is a soft dissection of the body, which is not aggressive in any way, it rather hugs in a self-embrace. These elements in tandem convey a sense of uncertainty, and fracture that allude to issues of today. Gill’s work is a challenge to perceptions of portraiture, without ostracising the viewer. It is a very accomplished study of self.”
