Congratulations to the winners of The Lester Prize 2021, Western Australia’s premier portrait prize that is now in its 15th year and has a prize pool of more than $100,000.
The $50,000 Main Prize was awarded to New South Wales artist Sidney Tapia for his portrait titled Through You depicting Siaosi Feiloakitau, a man Tapia often speaks with at the famous Pitt Street Mall. Tapia also won the $5,000 Barton Family Foundation Installer’s Prize.
This year’s judges: Alan Dodge, Clothilde Bullen, and Helen Carroll, unanimously agreed ‘this work Through you was the standout portrait. The use of scale and tight composition was supported by the pristine surface, focus of the artist and the subject’s character shines through. The rendering of the subject is incredibly sensitive and reveals the compassion of the artist towards the subject.’
Sidney Tapia, Through You
Sidney began learning how to cursive write at age 3. This fascination with mark making began his quest for drawing what fascinated him, such as people, cartoons and letters. After a career in skateboarding, he picked up painting again and is now an internationally recognised artist with murals worldwide and has exhibited paintings and illustrations in Australia, the USA and Japan.
He said,
‘as a multi-disciplinary artist, I’m captivated by creation. I consider it a high privilege to collaborate with the subject of my works. I hope to compliment their beauty, imparting a wonderful reflection and appreciation to the viewer. On hearing the news of my win at first I felt very taken aback, literal shivers, shocked, elated, wowed, extremely thankful and very encouraged. I still feel that way now.’
Emily Song, Dumplings
Other Lester Prize winners include:
- $15,000 Tony Fini Foundation Artist Prize (selected by the forty finalists) – Emily Song (WA), Dumplings
- $10,000 Minderoo Foundation Spirit Prize (selected by the Minderoo Foundation) – Emily Song (WA), Dumplings
- $5,000 Ashurst Emerging Artist: Illyampi – Victor Burton (WA) Mamu
- Oxlades Highly Commended – Narelle Zeller (ACT), Brave new worker
- Oxlades Highly Commended – Sally Ryan (NSW), Never again
The Baldock Family People’s Choice Prize will be announced on Thursday 2 December 2021.
The next event to open is the Youth Portraiture Prize for high school students across Australia. These30 finalists’ works will be on display in Brookfield Place in Perth CBD in October and November 2021, with winners announced on Tuesday 26 October 2021.
The Lester Prize advocates for Australian art and artists through a full month-long exhibition season, which includes:
- Main Exhibition of finalists artworks at AGWA’s historic Centenary Galleries 16 October to 29 November 2021.
- Big Screen Displays at various locations around Perth, including Northbridge Piazza and Myer Forrest Chase runs October to November 2021.
- Virtual Gallery, online events and creative resources.
- Youth Exhibition of finalist artworks at Brookfield Place Tower 2 (123-125 St Georges Terrace, Perth) runs from 18 October to 12 November 2021.
- Outdoor Community Exhibitions at Perth Cultural Centre and Brookfield Place runs until 29 November 2021.
