Hannan portrait finalists announced

8 October 2018

The finalists for this year’s Shirley Hannan National Portrait Award have been announced, with 35 standing out among the record number of entrants from across the country.

The nation’s most loved and richest realistic portrait prize and carrying a $50,000 award, the Shirley Hannan National Portrait Award is a non-acquisitive prize for realistic portraiture, held biennially at the Bega Valley Regional Gallery.

The exhibition will launch on Friday, 26 October when the 2018 guest judge, art critic and broadcaster, Dr Andrew Frost, will select the winner from a strong field of contenders.

Bega Valley Regional Gallery Director, Iain Dawson, praised the quality of entries.

“This year’s entries were our strongest ever and audiences will see works from past winners, Archibald Prize finalists, and many of Australia’s best-known portraitists,” Mr Dawson said.

The selection committee consisted of Brisbane based gallery director, Edwina Corlette; influential art collector and architect, Ross Bonthorne; Alaska Projects Director, Sebastian Goldspink; and International Art Services Business Development Manager, Alison Guthrie; along with members of the Hannan family.

Three artists based in the Bega Valley are included among the finalists, cementing the regions reputation as a hot spot for artistic prowess.

The full list of 2018 finalists is available from the Bega Valley Regional Gallery website at https://gallery.begavalley.nsw.gov.au

Photograph: Joseph O’Gara (Eden) Weary warrior

END