Founded by Doug and Greta Moran and family in 1988 for the celebration of Australia’s Bi-Centennial, the Doug Moran National Portrait Prize, believed to be the world’s most valuable portrait prize, has been held annually ever since. This year, the Moran Arts Foundation received more than 1,130 entries, double that of the Archibald Prize.
The Moran Prize winner who received $150,000 was Tim Storrier for a portrait Lunar Savant which was a portrait of his friend and fellow artist, McLean Edwards. Ironically this painting did not make the Archibald cut.
For the first time the judges Greta Moran, Daniel Thomas and Wendy Sharpe gave a Highly Commended Award to Dagmar Cyrulla’s self portrait entitled I am Woman.
The proceedings were chaired by Doug’s son Peter Moran and veteran media personality Richard Moorecroft.
This free exhibition showcasing all thirty finalist is on view at Juniper Hall, 250 Oxford Street, Paddington, almost diagonally opposite to Paddington Town Hall. Opening times are Thursdays to Sundays between 10am and 4pm until 17th December.
Also free Artists Talks are being every Sunday at 2pm at Juniper Hall throughout November and December.
Pics by Ben Apfelbaum.
