The Percivals 2014 'Exhibition Summary' by Shane Fitzgerald

The Percivals | Exhibition Summary | 2014

Gallery Services Shane Fitzgerald Eric Nash Sarah Welch Michael Pope Rob Donaldson Jo Stacey Holly Grech-Fitzgerald Carly Sheil Alex Shapley Tegan Ollett Nic Horton Wendy Bainbridge Gillian Ribbins Danielle Berry Michelle Littman Patricia Dunn Damian Cumner Rurik Henry

Exhibition Summary:

Manager Gallery Services Curator Exhibitions and Collection Coordinator Education and Programs Coordinator Digital Media and Exhibition Design Coordinator Team Leader Administration Gallery Services Collections Management Officer Digital Media and Exhibition Design Officer Exhibitions Officer Education and Programs Officer Education and Programs Assistant Administration Officer Administration Officer Arts Officer Gallery Assistant Gallery Assistant Gallery Assistant Gallery Assistant

The Percivals 2014

Strand Ephemera 2011

Winner Festivals and Events Award Townsville Airport North Queensland Tourism Awards 2012

Strand Ephemera 2013

Winner Best Tourism and Events Communication Award Government Communications Australia Awards for Excellence 2014

Brick by Brick

Highly Commended Temporary or Travelling Exhibition Level 2 Award Museum and Galleries National Awards 2014

Cover: Roderick McNicol The Late Blossoming of Jack Charles Archival Digital Print, 80 x 65cm. Winner of the 2014 DUO Magazine Percival Photographic Portrait Prize

Contact Perc Tucker Regional Gallery Cnr. Denham and Flinders St Townsville QLD 4810 Mon - Fri: 10am - 5pm Sat - Sun: 10am - 2pm

(07) 4727 9011 ptrg@townsville.qld.gov.au www.townsville.qld.gov.au @TCC_PercTucker PercTuckerTCC

Pinnacles Gallery Riverway Arts Centre 20 Village Boulevard Thuringowa Central QLD 4817 Tues - Sun: 10am - 5pm

(07) 4773 8871 pinnacle@townsville.qld.gov.au www.townsville.qld.gov.au @TCC_Pinnacles PinnaclesTCC

BACKGROUND

EXHIBITION OVERVIEW

ARTISTS AND ARTWORKS

PUBLIC PROGRAM

EDUCATION

FRINGE EVENTS AND LINKED EXHIBITIONS

AWARDS

SPONSORS

VOLUNTEERS

VISITOR FEEDBACK

MEDIA AND MARKETING

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Joshua Miels b. 1982 Glengowrie, SA, Australia The Perfectionist (detail), 160 x 130cm, oil on canvas

The biennial Percival Portrait Award is North Queenslandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own portrait competition and has been held at Perc Tucker Regional Gallery since 2007. Townsvilleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s galleries pride themselves on being firmly embedded in the Townsville community and since its inception the Award has been an open competition for artists. While showcasing the outstanding and innovative work currently being produced by Australian artists, the competition has also given many emerging artists and residents from Townsville and around Australia an opportunity to engage with portraiture and share their expressions of themselves and those close to them.

Thanks to the generosity of Glencore (formerly Xstrata) and other sponsors, the Award has steadily grown in stature and prize monies over the years, from $3,000 in 2007 to $40,000 in 2012. The 2012 edition, featuring almost 200 works, attracted artists from all states and territories of Australia and one from Russia. Across the years participating artists have presented varied styles and approaches to the contemporary portrait - from abstracted images and cool conceptualism to smooth realism and the energetic aura of thick, impasto oils executed with broad brush and palette knife.

Previous Major Award Winners 2007

2010

Philip Leong Investments Art Award Prize Money: $2,000 Artist: Barbara Cheshire Artwork Title: Jack

Xstrata Percival Portrait Award Prize Money: $20,000 Artist: Ted May Artwork Title: Tate Adams

2008

2012

Xstrata Portrait Award Prize Money: $5,000 Artist: Nick Mourtzakis Artwork Title: A Portrait of Alex Wodak

Xstrata Percival Portrait Award Prize Money: $40,000 Artist: Kevin Lincoln Artwork Title: Self Portrait

BACKGROUND

Background

Exhibition Overview EXHIBITION OVERVIEW

Glencore Percival Portrait Painting Prize Perc Tucker Regional Gallery 9 May – 13 July 2014

DUO Magazine Percival Photographic Portrait Prize Pinnacles Gallery 10 May – 13 July 2014

2014 saw a dramatic evolution for the exhibition affectionately referred to as The Percivals, shifting from a stand-alone biennial exhibition, to a citywide celebration of the genre of portraiture.

Of course, each major prize could only attract one winner. On Friday 9 May, at a gala event that attracted in excess of 800 guests, Manager – Refinery and Port Operations for major sponsor Glencore Daniel Christie announced Archibald winning artist Frank Giacco as the winner of the $40,000 Glencore Percival Portrait Painting Prize.

The Award has steadily grown in stature and prize monies over the years, from $3,000 in 2007 to the significant acquisitive prize of $40,000 that is now awarded to the winner of the Glencore Percival Portrait Painting Prize. New sponsor DUO Magazine have in 2014 allowed for the introduction of a sister exhibition to the painting prize presented at Perc Tucker Regional Gallery, expanding the city’s celebration of portraiture to now include a $10,000 DUO Magazine Percival Photographic Portrait Prize at Pinnacles Gallery. Also a first in 2013/2014, the financial contribution of Cox Rayner Architects has enabled the Production of a publication of all finalists’ works from both the Glencore Percival Portrait Painting Prize and the DUO Magazine Percival Photographic Portrait Prize, much to the delight of visitors and participating artists alike. Combined, The Percivals attracted considerable coverage locally and nationally, further pressing Townsville’s claims as an arts and cultural leader in the context of regional Australian centres. This ample coverage resulted in the submission of fine works from all corners of the country in both competitions; 147 artists entered a total of 176 works for consideration into the Glencore Percival Portrait Painting Prize, of which 87 works by 82 artists were pre-selected as finalists. Similarly, 105 artists entered a total of 167 works for consideration into the DUO Magazine Percival Photographic Portrait Prize, with 75 works by 61 artists selected and displayed as finalists.

The winning work, entitled Charles Blackman, is a 198 x 200cm oil painting of the famed artist, who was a pivotal member of the Antipodeans, a group of Melbourne painters which also included Arthur Boyd, John Brack, and John Perceval, amongst others. The work now enters the City of Townsville Art Collection for the enjoyment of future generations of Townsville residents. The exhibition’s judge, Angus Trumble, Director of the National Portrait Gallery, said of his selection of Giacco’s painting as the $40,000 acquisitive prize winner, “Complexity is not always a virtue in portraiture, but this large square painting inserts between the viewers and the subject a superimposed series of lattices, notional screens of pattern and colour and tone, as well as real screens, with which to play and beguile. It is a technical tour de force, and an eloquent tribute to one fine artist and his work by another.” Another popular launch event held the following Friday evening, this time at Pinnacles Gallery, saw Scott Morrison of major sponsor DUO Magazine announce acclaimed Australian photographer Roderick McNicol as the recipient of the inaugural $10,000 DUO Magazine Percival Photographic Portrait Prize for his stunning shot of actor Jack Charles. The winning work, entitled The Late Blossoming of Jack Charles, is a traditional portrait of the highly regarded actor. The sitter’s direct gaze is extremely compelling, and the photographer has cleverly balanced a number of rich textures.

EXHIBITION OVERVIEW

Glencore Percival Portrait Painting Prize

Daniel Christie, Manager â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Refinery and Port Operations, Glencore, speaks at the launch of the 2014 Glencore Percival Portrait Painting Prize.

The exhibition’s judge Suzanne Buljan, Director of the Australian Centre for Photography, said of her selection of Roderick McNicol’s work as the $10,000 prize winner, “In an era of the rapid fire digestion of imagery via the 24 hour news cycle and social media, it was a pleasure to take a moment and stop. To take a moment to contemplate and appreciate the art of photographic portraiture. Roderick McNicol’s winning photograph… is a stunning portrayal of a life story captured in a moment.”

Examples of additional programs under the umbrella of The Percivals included the display of Animal Portraits, an exhibition of works by local artists competing for a $1,000 prize, the distribution of a developed education kit and a free children’s activity book, the organisation and hosting of weekly portrait workshops, a series of photographic portrait master classes, tours, lectures and floortalks, and the engagement of the broader community in the Flinders Street banner exhibition of photographs, entitled The PEOPLE’S Percival.

“With a sensibility reminiscent of the portraits of German born photographers Thomas Ruff and Thomas Struth (both out of the Dusseldorf Academy), this image generously allows the subject to speak with honesty and grace; for Jack and his story to come a little closer to his audience.”

A unique partnership with ABC Open has also resulted in the outdoor exhibition Faces of Townsville to coincide with The Percivals. Faces of Townsville displayed works in nine locations in the CBD, in Flinders Square and at James Cook University, with 19 portraits in total displayed as backlit photographs and large-scale paste-ups on highly visible buildings.

While the prize announcements set tongues wagging, the enduring popularity of the exhibitions is evidenced by combined exhibition visitation of 21 325 at the closure of The Percivals. The community’s fascination with portraiture has certainly aided these strong figures, however it is undoubtedly the fine quality of the works selected, and the raft of fringe events, educational resources and public programming that has ensured The Percivals is an enjoyable and sustainable city-wide event.

The local portraits for the exhibition were created as a part of ABC Open’s Snapped project. Each month Snapped creates a challenge to help amateur photographers to learn new techniques. Snapped recently asked photographers to take portraits that captured the many faces of Australia. Over 1000 portraits were submitted, including many from North Queensland. 2013/2014 has seen The Percivals once again grow and innovate, and the overwhelming support of the community and interest from around the country has ensured this will continue to be the case when the biennial celebration returns in 2016.

The 2014 judge of the DUO Magazine Percival Photographic Portrait Prize addresses guests at the exhibition launch.

EXHIBITION OVERVIEW

Chrissy Maguire Sue Hackett - Strong-Thoughtful (detail), 68.3 x 52.9cm, archival photo rag paper

Representative of the importance of The Percivals, the exhibitions attracted high numbers of entries from artists around the country, and a select number of entries from overseas. The Glencore Percival Portrait Painting Prize, which was being held for the fifth time, continued to build momentum. 147 artists entered a total of 176 works for consideration, with 87 works by 82 artists selected as finalists and exhibited at Perc Tucker Regional Gallery from 9 May â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 13 July 2014. Perhaps most pleasing were the high levels of participation in the DUO Magazine Percival Photographic Portrait Prize in its inaugural year.

The DUO Magazine Percival Photographic Portrait Prize saw 105 artists enter a total of 167 works for consideration with 75 works, by 61 artists selected as finalists and exhibited at Pinnacles Gallery from 10 May â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 13 July 2014. Each entry was reproduced in a 180 page exhibition publication, providing each artist a lasting keepsake of their selection as a finalist in The Percivals. Detail images from all of the 162 selected entries are provided in the following pages.

DUO Magazine Percival Photographic Portrait Prize

ARTISTS AND ARTWORKS

Artists and Artworks

ARTISTS AND ARTWORKS

THE

ARTISTS AND ARTWORKS

PERCIVALS

Glencore Percival Portrait Painting Prize Finalists

ARTISTS AND ARTWORKS

John ASHALL Lisa AXIOTIS Donna BENINGFIELD Jason BENJAMIN Jo BERTINI Keith BETTS Kelly BIANCHI Andrew BONNEAU Graeme D BUCKLEY Marcus CALLUM Leigh CAMILLERI Barbara CHESHIRE Matthew CHEYNE Tanya CHILDS Gai COPEMAN Kath CORNWALL Alexander DATHE Sinead DAVIES Anh DO Rob DOUMA Patricia DUNN David FAIRBAIRN Tony FITZSIMMONS Katherine GAILER Peter GENTUR Frank GIACCO Mertim GOKALP Debra GOLDSMITH Erica GRAY James GUPPY Seppo HAUTANIEMI Emily HILL Susan HOLLAMBY Yasmin HUNTER Sean HUTTON Jan HYNES Paul JACKSON Ros JONES Alun Rhys JONES Anthony JOY Jeremy KIBEL Martin KIZUR David LADLEY Peter LAWSON Uli LIESSMANN Fiona LOWRY Lee MACHELAK Effie MANDALOS Anna MANGO Matt R MARTIN Tessa McONIE Phil MEATCHEM Joshua MIELS

Guy MORGAN Mary Anne MORRIS Deb MOSTERT Michael MUIR Claire OGDEN Ronald PENROSE Matthew QUICK Troy QUINLIVEN Irene RAE Jenny RODGERSON David ROWE Paul RYAN Raelene SHARP Rawiri James SMITH Gerald SOWORKA Brendon Earl SPARG Tennille SPRY Lauren Rainnie STRINGINI Samara SUTTON-BAKER Genevieve TOBIN Datsun TRAN Sue VALIS Jim VAN GEET Ange VENARDOS Julienne VERNON Anne WALSH Charmaine WESTON Lee WISE Christine WREST-SMITH DUO Magazine Percival Photographic Portrait Prize Finalists Melissa ANDERSON Chanel BARAN Sarah BARKER Chris BOWES Jane-Anne BOYD John BRADSHAW Chris BUDGEON Daniel CAMPBELL Jessica CLELLAND Kerry-Ann COLLINS Michael CORRIDORE Robert CRISPE Katie DENNIEN Raimond DE WEERDT Stephen DUPONT Odette ENGLAND Jacqueline FELSTEAD George FETTING Craig GEORGE Matthew GIANOULIS Beth GIBBESON James GUPPY

Alana HAMPTON Molly HARRIS Jess HAY Sahlan HAYES Tim HINGSTON Ian HITCHCOCK Rod HUNT Rosana KERSH Soyoun KIM Marcus KOPPEN Jon LEWIS Mitch LYNN Chrissy MAGUIRE Michael MARZIK Belinda MASON Roderick McNICOL Jacqueline MITELMAN Grant NOWELL Sonia PAYES Julian PHILLIPS Nicola POWER Connie PUNTORIERO Zorica PURLIJA Andrew RANKIN Sarah RHODES Kellie ROBERTSON Kirstie ROBSON Kate ROSS Sam SCOUFOS Camille SERISIER Daniel SPELLMAN Janelle STRUSS Virginia SZARAZ Angela TARLINTON Janet TAVENER Lee VERRALL Robyn VOLKER Lisa A WHITE Alex WISSER

Stephen Dupont The Blue Boy (detail), 130 x 100cm, Type C photograph

Public Program PUBLIC PROGRAM

The Percivals exhibitions were complemented by a developed program of events and engagement activities designed to encourage greater public interaction and enjoyment. These events were headed by intimate Sponsors and Members previews and gala launches of each of the Glencore Percival Portrait Painting Prize, and the DUO Magazine Percival Photographic Portrait Prize: Sponsor’s Preview Glencore Percival Portrait Painting Prize 5.30 – 6.30pm Friday 9 May 2014 Launch and Prize Announcement Glencore Percival Portrait Painting Prize 7pm Friday 9 May 2014 Attendance: 730 guests Sponsor’s Preview DUO Magazine Percival Photographic Portrait Prize 5.30 – 6.30pm Friday 16 May 2014 Launch and Prize Announcement DUO Magazine Percival Photographic Portrait Prize 7pm Friday 16 May 2014 Attendance: 283 guests These major events attracted large crowds of local arts enthusiasts and visitors to the city. The Percivals also provided an opportunity for visitors to hear from esteemed judge Angus Trumble by way of a judge’s floortalk, shortly followed by a public lecture: Judge’s Floortalk Angus Trumble Director, National Portrait Gallery 11am Saturday 10 May 2014 Angus Trumble speaks about the Glencore Percival Portrait Painting Prize, and his thoughts from judging the finalists. Attendance: 70 guests

National Portrait Gallery Of Australia: The Face of the Nation Angus Trumble Director, National Portrait Gallery 1pm Saturday 10 May 2014 Trumble speaks about the role and importance of the National Portrait Gallery (NPG) by its The NPG is a major cultural institution that plays a pivotal role in increasing Australia’s understanding and appreciation of its history and people through portraiture. Attendance: 30 guests Similarly, the DUO Magazine Percival Photographic Portrait Prize provided the platform to teach interested members of the community digital photography skills. The five part intensive course was held every fortnight of the exhibition, and led by experienced photographer Regina Lovic. Of course, workshops and activities for children were a focal point, with Funny Faces Portrait Art Workshops (for younger audiences) and Let’s Face It Portrait Drawing Workshops (for ages 15+) held at Perc Tucker Regional Gallery every Sunday throughout the exhibition. Providing some levity and engaging audiences outside of the Gallery environment, a number of local artists were employed as roaming portrait artists. Dressed in full French artist garb, the local artists conducted five minute portraits for guests at the 2014 Arts, Culture and Events season launch held at the Riverway Arts Centre, at the launch of the Glencore Percival Portrait Painting Prize, and at the Sunday Cotters Markets each week throughout the exhibition.

Image: Participants in Regina Lovicâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s photography workshop series, Never Work with Children or Animals session, coinciding with the DUO Magazine Percival Photographic Portrait Prize Image opposite: Artist Gerald Soworka draws Angus Trumbleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s portrait

RCIV THE PE

THE

Cr Sue Blom addresses students of William Ross State High School at the launch of their Artist-In-Schools exhibition, coinciding with The Percivals

VALS

Gallery Services places enormous importance on providing educative programs associated with exhibitions, and connecting with local artists, schools and young people. The education and public program components associated with The Percivals further emphasised this.

Education Activities delivered as part of The Percivals

A comprehensive Education Kit, discussing themes within select works and an extensive history of portraiture, was developed and disseminated to all primary and secondary art teachers within the Townsville region via Gallery Services’ Creative Classrooms e-newsletter.

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Further engagement activities conducted by Gallery Services to coincide with The Percivals included workshops tours for community and school groups.

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11 guided tours of The Percivals for 206 students and 6 teachers 1 guided tour for University of the Third Age (U3A) members 7 workshops for 241 students

Participating Schools • • • • • • • • • • •

Barrier Reef Institute of TAFE Donna Beningfield After School Art Group Endeavour Group Kirwan State High School Northern Beaches State High School Ryan Catholic College Shalom Christian College St. Anthony’s Catholic College St. Margaret Mary’s Catholic College St. Patrick’s College Thuringowa State High School

Below (left): The Percivals Education Kit Below (right): The Percivals Activity Booklet

KIT TION EDUCA

S L A V I ERC

TION A C U D

KIT

EDUCATION

Education

Fringe Events and Linked Exhibitions

Animal Portraits provided a fun exhibition that aimed to share the spotlight and capture the personalities of our scaly, feathered, and furry friends. Importantly, the exhibition also continues to encourage accomplished works that clearly illustrate the affection with which we view our pets and wildlife. The biennial exhibition, which offered a $1,000 prize, has continued to enjoy support from major sponsor Glencore, and is warmly received by Townsville residents. The 2014 winner was Jenny Hyatt for her work Shumba. The exhibition was launched and prize announced at a morning tea function, which also included a wildlife display by Ranger Jeremy Hurburgh of Billabong Sanctuary.

In a unique collaboration with ABC Open, Gallery Services also helped deliver the outdoor portraiture exhibition Faces of Townsville. The exhibition of local portraits were created as a part of ABC Open’s Snapped project. Each month Snapped creates a challenge to help amateur photographers to learn new techniques. Snapped asked photographers to take portraits that captured the many faces of Australia, and over 1000 portraits were submitted, including many from North Queensland. The works featured in Faces of Townsville were displayed as large scale ‘paste-ups’ on building facades, and as backlit photographs, and could be seen in nine locations in the CBD, in Flinders Square and at James Cook University. A further outdoor exhibition, The PEOPLE’S Percival, was displayed on the flags lining Flinders Street in Townsville’s CBD. The portrait images were submitted by members of the public whom wished to recognise and celebrate a family member, friend or colleague. The exhibitions was displayed for the duration of The Percivals.

THE

PEOPLE’S <

FRINGE EVENTS AND LINKED EXHIBITIONS

Coinciding with this year’s display of The Percivals were a series of Fringe Events and Linked Exhibitions, expanding the reach of the event beyond the Gallery setting into the public realm, and establishing a true festival of portraiture.

PERCIVAL

Sam Photo: Aaron Ashley

Major Sponsor Painting Prize

Publication Sponsor

Major Sponsor Photographic Prize

People’s Choice Award Sponsor

Image: Jan being interviewed in front of her large scale paste-up as part of the Faces of Townsville project, Flinders Street. Photograph: courtesy of Bruce Muller Images opposite, clockwise from top left: Jenny Hyatt, Shumba; Ranger Jeremy Hurbugh provides a sugerglider demonstration for Animal Portraits artists; Aaron Ashleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s The PEOPLEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S Percival flag of friend Sam Wright; Faces of Townsville light box display

Awards AWARDS

The winner of the acquisitive $40,000 Glencore Percival Portrait Painting Prize for 2014 was announced at a gala opening celebration by Daniel Christie, major sponsor Glencore’s Manager – Refinery and Port Operations

a superimposed series of lattices, notional screens of pattern and colour and tone, as well as real screens, with which to play and beguile. It is a technical tour de force, and an eloquent tribute to one fine artist and his work by another.”

The winning work, entitled Charles Blackman, was painted by Frank Giacco and is a stunning 198 x 200cm oil painting depicting the famed Australian artist, who was a pivotal member of the Antipodeans, a group of Melbourne painters which also included Arthur Boyd, John Brack, and John Perceval, amongst others.

“We often use metaphors of a mirror to describe how portraits work – in other words holding up a mirror to the country, the community, whatever – but one of the dangers of that metaphor is symbolised by Lewis Carroll’s looking glass, a parallel world of anxiety and discord which, once assessed, is difficult to escape. By referring quite specifically to Charles Blackman’s ‘Alice’ series this elegant portrait contemplates the very character of portraiture itself.”

The finalists’ works – 87 in total displayed on both floors of Perc Tucker Regional Gallery – were judged by Angus Trumble, Director of the National Portrait Gallery. With a high quality of entries received from all corners of the nation, the judging was a difficult process. Trumble said of his selection of Giacco’s painting as the $40,000 acquisitive prize winner, “Complexity is not always a virtue in portraiture, but this large square painting inserts between the viewers and the subject

“My congratulations to the artist Frank Giacco.” Giacco is a Sydney-based artist and previous winner of the Archibald Prize 1994, the Mossman Art Prize 1996 and the Hills Grammar Art Prize 2000, as well as being a regular finalist in the Doug Moran Portrait Prize and Archibald Prize.

Image: Frank Giacco Born Sydney, New South Wales, Australia 1955 Charles Blackman [detail] 2010 Oil on canvas, 198 x 200cm Acquisitive Prize Winner of the Glencore Percival Portrait Painting Prize, 2014 Image opposite: Glencoreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Daniel Christie congratulates Glencore Percival Portrait Painting Prize winner Frank Giacco

AWARDS

Giacco was born in Sydney in 1955. He studied a Bachelor of Science majoring in Architecture at the University of Sydney in 1976, before studying art at the Hochschule Fur Angewandte Kunst in Vienna in 1980. He has travelled and studied art extensively in the United States of America, and Europe, especially in Italy. Giacco has been exhibited in numerous solo and group exhibitions in Australia and his works are held in both public and private collections in Australia and America. Giacco said of his winning work, “[I] Loved painting Charlie, because he looks so much like Rembrandt and because he has created such a unique world through his art.” Shane Fitzgerald, Manager Gallery Services said, “The Percivals have grown into a truly national competition attracting the breadth and quality of artists from all over the country. That we have previous Archibald winners vying for and winning the top prize demonstrates the importance of the Glencore Percival Portrait Painting Prize.” Being an acquisitive award, Giacco’s work has entered the City of Townsville Art Collection to be enjoyed by future generations.

The much-anticipated inaugural winner of the $10,000 DUO Magazine Percival Photographic Portrait Prize, Roderick McNicol, was announced at the exhibition launch by Scott Morrison, Publisher and Creative Director of major sponsor DUO Magazine. The winning work, entitled The Late Blossoming of Jack Charles, is a traditional portrait of the highly regarded actor. The sitter’s direct gaze is extremely compelling, and the photographer has cleverly balanced a number of rich textures. The finalists’ works – 75 in total selected from an initial 167 entries – were judged by Suzanne Buljan, Director of the Australian Centre for Photography. With a high quality of entries received from all corners of the nation, the judging was a difficult process. Buljan said of her selection of Roderick McNicol’s work as the $10,000 prize winner, “In an era of the rapid fire digestion of imagery via the 24 hour news cycle and social media, it was a pleasure to take a moment and stop. To take a moment to contemplate and appreciate the art of photographic portraiture.”

Image (left): Roderick McNicol The Late Blossoming of Jack Charles Archival Digital Print, 80 x 65cm. Winner of the 2014 DUO Magazine Percival Photographic Portrait Prize Image (right): Rosana Kersh, The book of John, photographic paper, 100 x 70cm, winner of the Townsville City Council People’s Choice Award

Image: DUO Magazine Publisher and Creative Director Scott Morrison announces the winner of the 2014 DUO Magazine Percival Photographic Portrait Prize

AWARDS

“Roderick McNicol’s winning photograph titled, The Late Blossoming of Jack Charles, is a stunning portrayal of a life story captured in a moment. With a sensibility reminiscent of the portraits of German born photographers Thomas Ruff and Thomas Struth (both out of the Dusseldorf Academy), this image generously allows the subject to speak with honesty and grace; for Jack and his story to come a little closer to his audience.”

Sunday 13 July marked the closing of Townsville’s biennial celebration of portraiture, The Percivals, and with that came the announcement of the final two prize recipients.

“The inaugural DUO Magazine Percival Photographic Portrait Prize presented a great challenge. McNicol’s winning portrait, in company with many deserved winners clearly stood out for its clarity, beautiful composition, aesthetic treatment and technical ability above and beyond the quieter considerations of genre, scale, narrative and subject choice. It was a privilege to be invited to judge this inaugural award.”

The photograph, which depicts Cane Farmer and devoted family man John Kersh, collected a winning total of 105 votes in the competition which was held as part of the DUO Magazine Percival Photographic Portrait Prize at Pinnacles Gallery.

Born in Melbourne in 1946, McNicol attended the Prahran College, studying Photography, in 1974, attained his Master of Fine Arts from Monash University in 2007. He has exhibited his work widely in solo and group exhibitions, and is a previous winner of prestigious prizes such as The National Photographic Portrait Prize (2012), and The Australian Photographic Portrait Prize (2004). In describing the work, McNicol stated, “Actor and elder Jack Charles’ career is, indeed, going through a remarkable late blossoming. And this late blossoming is all the more poignant given the chequered nature of his life until fairly recently. Part of the stolen generation, Jack has had a long, if at times interrupted, career in film and in theatre. Parallel to this, however, there has been a darker life of drug abuse, crime and internment.” “Over the last few years, however, with his drug dependency well and truly behind him, Jack’s acting career is really flourishing, and he is now thriving in his new role as mentor to his community.” Shane Fitzgerald, Manager Gallery Services said, “Suzanne has picked a stand out work as the very first winner of this significant exhibition. Sponsorship from DUO Magazine has enabled The Percivals to grow to new heights and become a more holistic celebration of portraiture, and we’re very grateful for their partnership.” McNicol’s work has entered the DUO Magazine private collection.

Rosana Kersh, a noted Townsville-based photographer, took out the $2000 Townsville City Council People’s Choice Award for her work, The book of John.

Another talented local, Rob Douma, was the successful artist in this year’s Telstra Stores Townsville People’s Choice Award. Douma received 280 votes in the Glencore Percival Portrait Painting Prize competition, which enabled exhibition visitors to voice their opinion on the best work on show. Douma, who was once a soldier of both the 1st and 2nd Battalions, was once mentored by the subject of the portrait, Red. “Red came to Townsville in 1991 posted to the 2nd/4thBattalion, Royal Australian Regiment. A young, fit and keen infantry soldier he deployed to Somalia with the 1st Battalion in 1993. After experiencing firsthand the horrors of war, he struggled to resume a normal life,” Douma said. “Timely intervention by a co-worker, a Vietnam War veteran himself, saw Red seek professional help. He faced and conquered his demons to regain control of his life and now enjoys being a productive and valued member of the community and workforce.” Fittingly, Douma has decided to gift the $2000 prize money he will receive from the Telstra Stores Townsville People’s Choice Award to the Veteran Service Agency, an organisation that is directly helping soldiers with PTSD overcome their difficulties and resume a normal life.

The Percivals is organised and funded by Gallery Services, Townsville City Council, with the generous support of numerous sponsors, supporters and partners enabling the delivery of specific prizes and components of the exhibition. This additional support has once again enabled Gallery Services to go beyond its base level and provide a series of exhibitions and events that has delighted the general public and attracted impressive numbers of visitors. Gallery Services wishes to thank all of the sponsors, supporters and partners of The Percivals for their invaluable contributions:

Major Sponsor Painting Prize $45,000 funding to deliver and award the major prize for the Glencore Percival Portrait Painting Prize

Major Sponsor Photographic Prize $10,000 funding to deliver and award the major prize for the DUO Magazine Percival Photographic Portrait Prize

Peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Choice Award Sponsor $3,000 funding to administer and award the Telstra Stores Townsville Peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Choice Award

Publication Sponsor $8,000 funding to develop, design and print the 180 page publication to accompany The Percivals

Faces of Townsville partner Gallery Services collaborated with ABC Open in the development and presentation of the outdoor exhibition Faces of Townsville