Out of more than 1000 entries, a painting of renowned New Zealand photographer Fiona Pardington has placed Broad Bay resident Simon Richardson in the finals, alongside 56 others, for Australia’s Archibald Prize.
The Archibald Prize is generally seen as the most prestigious portrait prize in Australia. First awarded in 1921, it is valued at $A100,000 ($NZ108,277).
In its more than 100-year history, only 10 New Zealanders have been shortlisted for the awards.
Mr Richardson said he was "extremely honoured" to be a finalist.
The egg tempera painting features Fiona Pardington (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Māmoe and Ngāti Kahungunu) MNZM, Chevalier Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, reclining on a couch with her dog Minerva.
Huia adorn the painting’s frame, referencing the celebrated artist’s still life photos of the now extinct native New Zealand bird.
"Painting Fiona was a huge privilege in itself, and it is incredible for it to be short-listed for such a coveted prize," Mr Richardson said.
Mr Richardson graduated from Otago Polytechnic School of Art in 1996 and has painted fulltime.
In 2016, his portrait of his daughter was selected for the BP Portrait Award at the National Gallery, London, and he previously won the Canadian Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation Grant three times.
As an "extremely private person," Dr Pardington said she felt both excited and overwhelmed to sit for the portrait.
"I’m honoured and hope everyone can see Simon’s intuitive rapport with his subjects ... Simon’s technical excellence and ease, his exquisite sensitivity as he carefully considers and therefore honours each person he paints, this is how he expresses his strength as a master painter."
The winner of the Archibald Prize will be announced next Friday.
