Zoe Young has been named a finalist in this year's prestigious Portia Geach Memorial Award - a national portraiture competition that recognises female artists - with a painting that tells a story of strength and resilience in her latest portrait.
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And this is not the first time Ms Young has been honoured in this prestigious competition.
The artist was shortlisted, and then then won the prize in 2018, and had two of her artworks shortlisted for the competition in 2017.
This year's entry, The Beauty of Resilience, portrays British-Australian academic Dr Kylie Moore-Gilbert.
Dr Moore-Gilbert was arrested in Tehran, Iran in September 2018 where she was charged with espionage, and was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
The lecturer in Islamic Studies at Melbourne University spent over two years in prison and was released and returned to Australia in November last year.
"I want people to see me not as a victim, but as someone with strength and agency," Dr Moore-Gilbert said.
"I wanted to draw attention to Kylie's story before it became forgotten news, and painting is a great way to solidify moments and make sure something is marked, or that a person's moment is recalled," the artist said.
"I realised it was really important for me to portray her as a hero and not a victim, because I think she's so resilient."
The portrait was meant to be for this year's Archibald Prize, but was not shortlisted.
Ms Young took an overnight train from Moss Vale to Melbourne in February this year to meet with Dr Moore-Gilbert for the portrait sitting.
She painted a study of the academic, as well as the submitted portrait which was a crucial step for her artistic practice.
"With my process of portraiture, I like to do a study and build rapport, and understand the scaffolding and architecture of their bone structure and mannerisms," she said.
"Unlike photographs, paintings can capture a person over a period of time whereas a photo captures a tiny, minuscule moment."
"You can reveal more in a subject."
"I also like how Zoe has incorporated aspects of my love of the Middle East into the portrait," Dr Moore-Gilbert said, where her Persian rug features.
The portrait was also a learning process for lecturer.
"I myself used to paint a long time ago, and as a result, was very interested to see Zoe in action and gain insights into her artistic process," Dr Moore-Gilbert said.
"I was very overwhelmed on how to portray her story and I wanted to find a pose of resilience, and that's what I'm really proud of presenting," Ms Young said.
Ms Young recently recreated Hollywood scenes with Australian twists in the sold out exhibition Still. Life. in Los Angeles.
The Portia Geach Memorial Award is being showcased at the S. H. Ervin Gallery from November 4 to December 19.
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Briannah Devlin
I like to write about arts, entertainment, any local reality tv leads, and property for the Southern Highland News and Goulburn Post, but also report on everything in between. If you have any tips, please send them to Briannah.Devlin@austcommunitymedia.com.au, or call 0439142204.
I like to write about arts, entertainment, any local reality tv leads, and property for the Southern Highland News and Goulburn Post, but also report on everything in between. If you have any tips, please send them to Briannah.Devlin@austcommunitymedia.com.au, or call 0439142204.
