|
Susan Cesarini wins The Viewer’s Choice! ( 9 November 2004 ). It was announced at the Westin Hotel today, that Sydney based artist, Susan Cesarini is the winner of the 2004 Viewer’s Choice for the 40 th annual Portia Geach Memorial Award, with her portrait of the sculptor, Alan Somerville. The prize was announced by S.H. Ervin Gallery Director, Jane Watters at the Gallery’s annual fundraising event, Women atFace Value Luncheon, held each year in conjunction with the Portia Geach Memorial Award - the national portrait prize for Australian women artists. |
 |
Susan Cesarini’s subject, Alan Somerville, is a figurative sculptor who works mainly in bronze. He is perhaps best known for his sculpture of the WWI Digger, at the western end of the Anzac Bridge , in Sydney. Susan says of painting ….Alan makes an irresistible portrait subject. Everything about him is larger than life – his craggy features, his hands, his laugh, his work, his zest for art (and for life). This painting shows him quietly absorbed in his work, with powerful thumb ready to make a characteristic imprint on the clay before him. I chose a large canvas and an oversize image, but a soft and unexpectedly sensitive treatment. In this way I was hoping to convey both the force of Alan’s presence, and a sense of his easy-going warmth. The gentle giant, if you like. Susan Cesarini has pursed her vision as a full time artist following a career as a school counsellor. Since 1999 Susan has concentrated on portrait and still life commissions, winning many art prizes, including the 2004 Shirley Hannan National Portrait Award. This is the second time Susan has been selected for the Portia Geach Memorial Award. Thousands of visitors to the Portia Geach exhibition had the opportunity to vote in this year’s Viewer’s Choice and Susan Cesarini’s portait was the clear winner! S.H. Ervin Gallery media information: |
|
