The winner of last year’s Portrait of a Senior Territorian says the award offers artists an opportunity to record the Territory’s living history, and is part of the inheritance for future generations.
Darwin art teacher Thomas Higgs took out first prize with his portrait of Darwin’s Garlil Jane Christophersen titled Matriarch and Pioneer, Garlil.
He is now working on a portrait for this year’s competition. While the identity of the subject is under wraps, Higgs says he is excited to be able to showcase another senior Territorian who has made a significant contribution to our society and culture, and encourages other artists to follow suit.
Entries are now open for the annual art award, which will be exhibited at the Araluen Arts Centre from 2 December.
The exhibition alternates between Darwin and Alice Springs, and the winner will pick up $7000 from a prize pool of $10,500. There are also cash prizes for second and third place winners, and the People’s Choice Award.
Now in its 24th year, the award is an iconic, much-anticipated celebration of Territory artists and seniors.
Judging criteria includes technical expertise, originality, effectiveness in capturing the personality of the subject; effectiveness in capturing the Territory’s identity, culture and history; contribution to the legacy of NT art and the Portrait of a Senior Territorian; as well as the subject’s personal response to the work.
