Last night at the S.H. Ervin Gallery, Sydney-based artist Sophie Cape was announced as the winner of the 2014 Portia Geach Memorial Award, the preeminent portraiture prize for women in Australia.
As trustee of the Award, the Trust Company, part of Perpetual, presented Ms Cape with the $30,000 prize for her portrait of actor Daniel Wyllie, entitled Romper Stomper.
First awarded in 1965, The Portia Geach Memorial Award is annually presented to an Australian female artist for the best portrait painted from life of a man or woman distinguished in art, letters or the sciences.
Reflecting on her win, Ms Cape said: “As a female artist striving to make strong works, I am honoured and humbled to be listed alongside the grand list of talented women who have inspired and encouraged me in my journey as a painter. Having a brilliant artist as a mother who has been a finalist many times, I always saw The Portia Geach growing up as the ultimate commendation for Australian female painting. So I am incredibly grateful for the encouragement, support and belief of the judges and the Portia Geach Memorial Award.”
The distinguished judging panel, which included Artist and Trustee of Art Gallery of New South Wales, Ben Quilty; Director S.H Ervin Gallery, Jane Watters; and Trustee of Art Gallery of New South Wales, Samantha Meers, commented that the list of finalists for the Award demonstrated that Australian painting has a vibrant future.
The judging panel selected Ms Cape’s work, which is an amalgamation of oil, acrylic, bitumen, charcoal and soil on canvas, from more than 300 entries received from a new generation of female artists.
On Ms Cape’s outstanding portrait, they said: “Cape’s work is made with a gusto and strength that belies the intense repose of the sitter, Daniel Wyllie. The painting rides a perilous visual journey that flirts with failure but eventually sings a powerful and arresting ballad. Cape is a promising young Sydney artist whose confidence and risk-taking is fittingly rewarded in this prize.”
An exhibition of all finalists’ works is now open for public viewing at the S.H. Ervin Gallery, The Rocks, Sydney.
S.H. Ervin Gallery
Until 14 December, 2014
Sydney
Sophie Cape, Romper stomper, oil, acrylic, bitumen, charcoal, and soil on canvas, 209 x 203cm
