Northern residents urged to support young artistic talent

The RACT Insurance Tasmania Portraiture Prize (TPP) is heading to Launceston’s Sawtooth
Gallery this month, giving residents of the north the chance to support one of the finalists in
the People’s Choice Award.

RACT Insurance CEO Trent Sayers said he was proud to again support young aspiring artists
across the State and looked forward to awarding the last Prize in this year’s TPP competition
at the end of November.

“It is always exciting to see the young artistic talent from across the State showcased to the
broader Tasmanian community, giving them the opportunity to express which piece of art
they found most interesting and why,” Mr Sayers said.

Mr Sayers said the lucky winner of the People’s Choice Award will receive $500 in prize
money to further their artistic career.

“Voting for the award will close at the end of the exhibition season on 25 November, with
the winner announced the following day,” he said.

“To vote for your favourite piece, simply go to www.taspp.com.au and follow the voting
instructions.

“I strongly recommend that all Tasmanians come along to the RACT Insurance Tasmanian
Portraiture Prize exhibition in Launceston and cast their vote.”

The exhibition will feature the works of the 33 finalists, including this year’s winner, Untitled
(solitude), by Alex Davern and runner up Nik Lee’s digital piece, The land shadowed by
everyone’s moving mountain, Chapter nine.

Chair of the judging panel and editor of the national journal Art Monthly Australia, Maurice
O’Riordan, said the calibre of entries in this year’s TPP was very strong, showcasing
everything Tasmanians have to offer the art world.

The award, now in its sixth year, had 2011 RACT Insurance Tasmanian Portraiture Prize
winner Robert O’Connor and renowned visual artist Greg Leong, joining Mr O’Riordan on
the judging panel.

More than 70 entries were received for this year’s competition, which was established to
create a platform for emerging Tasmanian artists to exhibit their talents, while also creating
a piece reflecting life in 21st century Tasmania.

As the winner of the 2013 RACT Insurance Tasmanian Portraiture Prize, Alex Davern
received $5,000 in prize money and a trip for two to the Archibald Prize exhibition in
Sydney, while Nik Lee received $2,000 to assist with studio rent.

RACT Insurance encourages all Tasmanians to come along and support the State’s emerging
artists at the TPP exhibition at Launceston’s Sawtooth Gallery from November 2 – 25.
RACT Insurance CEO Trent Sayers