Katalin Horompo’s oil painting, Storytime: Dr Hugh Heggie has won the Portrait of a Senior Territorian People’s Choice Award.
The Darwin artist receives $1000 prize money for her work that celebrates the NT Chief Health Officer’s community leadership and explores details of his character and life.
In her artist’s statement, Ms Horompo explained the portrait provides subtle visual clues about Dr Heggie’s life, interests and character.
A total of 1365 votes were received for the People’s Choice Award, with more than 1100 votes cast online.
The announcement completes this year’s Portrait of a Senior Territorian exhibition that opened on 6 December at Parliament House.
Thomas Higgs won the $7000 first prize for his work Garlil: Matriarch and Pioneer, depicting Garlil Jane Christophersen.
Second prize, worth $2000, was awarded to Jose Victor Patalinghug for his portrait of Adrian ‘Wildhorse’ Lantjin and the $500 third prize was awarded to Dr Al Strangeways for her portrait of Dr Patricia Miller AO. A commendation was awarded to Catherine Miles for her portrait of Aboriginal health practitioner Iris Patricia Raye.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Chansey Paech:
“The Territory Labor Government is proud to support our visual storytellers and to celebrate our seniors who contribute so much to the vitality of the NT.
“Not only does the People’s Choice winning portrait showcase the wonderful skills of Katalin Horompo; it is also an indication of the high esteem in which Dr Heggie has been held by the community during the current pandemic.
“This year’s Portrait of a Senior Territorian has been a great success of the event and a tribute to the creative excellence of our Territory artists and the wonderful support from the public.”
Photo: Winner of the People’s Choice – Storytime: Dr Hugh Heggie by Katalin Horompo
