The Australian Portrait Collection and
The Doug Moran National Portrait Prize 1988-2000
A focus of the Tweed River Art Gallery’s
Collection is Australian Portraits from all eras in all styles and mediums.
Although predominantly a contemporary
collection, the portraits range from c1890 to the present and in medium from traditional
oils and acrylics to fibre, wood and photography.
The Portrait Collection features
artists and subjects from all walks of life, cultures and backgrounds, including
people with disabilities, reflecting the true diversity of Australia’s population.
The famous and the infamous are represented.
No History of the Collection would
be complete without the mention of the Doug Moran National Portrait Prize.
The catalyst for the establishment of the Gallery and the Portrait Collection.
History of the Prize 1988-2000
The Doug Moran National Portrait
Prize, established in 1988 as the richest prize in the world,
with a prize to the winning artist of $100,000; a further $30,000 divided between the
30 finalists.
Two Australian Selectors select
the thirty finalists from hundreds of entries. Entries come from all parts of Australia.
Sydney-based health-care entrepreneur Mr Doug Moran
initiated the Prize in an effort to
bring back to portraiture some of the values of craftsmanship which he felt were being
forgotten by many contemporary artists and undervalued by judges of such competitions as
the Archibald Prize. Entries in the Moran Prize are required to be representational
and good likenesses of their subjects. Both painters and subjects must be Australian
citizens, but there is no requirement that the subject should be in any way well known.
The popularity
of the Doug Moran Portrait Prize is partly due to our fascination with portraits.
Far from being dull and formal representations of famous people, the lively and vivid
paintings which reach the finals of the Prize depict a cross-section of Australian society
ranging from school children to artists and their friends, and yes, the occasional
Eminent Person. Such a snapshot of our society provides a visual experience of great
richness.
The response of
artists to the competition has been enthusiastic from the start. Many have entered
the Prize each time it has been held, and some have been finalists more than once.
Many previously unknown artists have achieved recognition of their work through the Prize.
The response of
the public has been just as positive. Throughout each exhibition's tour many
thousands of people come to see it, discuss it, and communicate their enthusiasm to their
friends.
The winning paintings 1988 – 2000
became part of the Australian Portrait Collection of the Tweed River
Art Gallery. Thanks to generous sponsorship and donations the Gallery now owns over a 100 portraits, 35 of which have been winners or finalists in the competition. In time this Collection is
expected to become one of major national significance.
The prize is biennial.
In 2003 the Gallery ceased its collaboration
with the Moran Prize.
For details and entry forms please contact the Moran Prize
co-ordinator Moran Health Care 02 9247 6666, LMB 28 Australia Square, 1215.
The
Australian Portrait Collection
The paintings below
include winners and finalists in the Doug Moran National
Portrait Prize since 1988 - 2000, and form part of the Australian Portrait Collection at the
Tweed River Art Gallery, Murwillumbah NSW. Click on the images to view the larger
size.
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