Rachel Coad’s winning piece.
Camera IconRachel Coad’s winning piece. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Black Swan Prize for Portraiture: art imitates life for prize winner Coad

Jessica NicoFremantle Gazette

A SOUTH Fremantle artist’s portrayal of another artist has taken out WA’s prestigious portraiture prize.

Held at the Art Gallery of WA, Rachel Coad won the 2016 Black Swan Prize for Portraiture’s $50,000 Lester Group Prize for her piece depicting fellow WA artist Waldemar Kolbusz.

The judges said Coad’s work captured the subject’s personality superbly and created nostalgia through her use of sepia tones.

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Art Gallery of WA director Stefano Carboni said Coad was a deserving winner.

“She is not only prolific but consistently regarded by judges as a leading portrait artist in WA,” he said.

“Last year Rachel, with her portrait of WA businesswoman and philanthropist Janet Holmes a Court, was a finalist in the Black Swan Prize for Portraiture.

“This year, she is a worthy winner.”

The Youth Awards will be announced tonight and the winner of the People’s Choice Award on October 26.

An exhibition of all finalist works for the prize is at the Art Gallery of WA until October 31.