Collie Art Gallery to showcase winning work from premier art competition

Collie Art Gallery will exhibit winning works from The Lester Prize art competition, featuring pieces from emerging and established Australian portrait artists. The Lester Prize had more than 950 entries and 40 finalists in 2023 with the works previously exhibited at The Art Gallery of Western Australia. The winning artists’ works on display at Collie Art Gallery include Minjung Kang’s portrait Silence, winner of the Tony Fini Foundation artist prize ($20,000), the Barton Family Foundation installer’s prize ($10,000) and a highly commended award. Liz Stute’s portrait Jess — winner of the Minderoo Foundation spirit award and Kelly Maree’s portrait Ellia — winner of the $15,000 people’s choice prize donated by the Baldock Family — will also be on show. Also on display will be India Mark’s Studio self-portrait — winner of the Ashurst emerging artist prize — and Sarah Paton’s Memento mori which received a highly commended award. Gallery coordinator Payam Parishanzadeh said The Collie Art Gallery was proud to be hosting the prestigious Lester Prize for a second time. “The gallery continues to live up to its mission statement to provide creative and cultural activities for regional and community members by increasing access to, interest and participation in the arts,” he said. “The collaboration between The Lester Prize and the Collie Art Gallery provides such an opportunity to people in the South West region of Western Australia.” The Lester Prize executive director Shannon Yujnovich said the 2023 Lester Prize was a wonderful collection of outstanding portraiture pieces from across the country. “This community of artists have reflected and interpreted contemporary times depicting their loved ones, rituals, routines and studios to create a deeply personal and powerful image of our shared human condition,” she said. “We are thrilled to be collaborating with the Collie Art Gallery to bring this wonderful collection to the South West region, and we hope the local community enjoy it as much as we have.” The exhibition will be on display at Collie Art Gallery from April 13 to May 19.