TMAG Curator Jane Stewart, with pieces by artists Jack Brack and Richard Larter in the background
Curator of the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG), Jane Stewart, has been named as one
of the three judges assessing the work of Tasmania’s young aspiring artists in the upcoming p2014
RACT Insurance Tasmanian Portraiture Prize (TPP).
Ms Stewart said she was thrilled to be a judge this year and looked forward to putting the time
aside to really consider and discuss the works of emerging artists from the Tasmanian Community.
“The RACT Insurance Tasmanian Portraiture Prize is always exciting and it enables the work of
young, talented artists to be recognised within the broader community as well as encouraging them
to consider the many different definitions of portraiture in this contemporary world,” Ms Stewart
said.
RACT Insurance CEO Trent Sayers said he was excited to start the annual search for Tasmania’s
young and emerging portraiture artists, welcoming Ms Stewart as well as the two other judges,
renowned Australian portraiture artist Robert Hannaford and last year’s TPP winner Alex Davern.
“RACT Insurance is once again proud to support the young aspiring artists in Tasmania as well as
the state’s artistic revitalisation through the Tasmanian Portraiture Prize and we are thrilled to have
such a diverse judging panel this year,” Mr Sayers said.
“As part of the TPP, entrants are asked to paint a portrait of a Tasmanian who is important to them,
along with a statement explaining why and how this person has inspired their work.
“The overall aim of the competition is to foster the development of young Tasmanian artists, giving
them the opportunity to launch their professional careers and place their work on public exhibition
for the whole community to appreciate.
“I am not sure a competition like this exists anywhere else in the country and each year it gains
more momentum, with last year’s competition attracting more than 70 entries statewide.”
Mr Sayers said the winner of the RACT Insurance Tasmanian Portraiture Prize will receive $5,000
and a trip for two to the Archibald Prize exhibition in Sydney, while the runner-up will receive
$2,000 to assist with studio rent.
“We will also again have the Sponsor’s Choice Award and the coveted People’s Choice Award, each
of which have a prize of $500 to assist in furthering the artist’s career,” he said.
“This money could go a long way for an emerging artist, and we’re excited to see what this year’s
batch of entrants produce.”
Now entering its seventh year, the TPP was established to create a platform for emerging
Tasmanian artists to exhibit their talents, while also developing a body of portraiture that reflects
life in 21st century Tasmania.
Entries are now open for the 2014 RACT Insurance Tasmanian Portraiture Prize, closing on 30 June,
2014. This year the exhibition will feature in the Hobart’s Long Gallery, Launceston’s Sawtooth
Gallery and the Burnie Regional Gallery. For more information, visit www.taspp.com.au.
RACT Insurance CEO Trent Sayers
