Black Swan Prize: four local artists in line for top portraiture prize

FOUR locals have been named finalists in one of the most prestigious national art awards.

South Fremantle’s Rachel Coad, Beaconsfield’s Peter Barker and Fremantle residents Tess McOnie and Pete Ross have made the 40-person shortlist, of which only 13 are from WA, for the 2016 Black Swan Prize for Portraiture.

The third richest Australian art competition behind the Archibald and Moran, the artists will vie for $70,000 worth of prizes, including a $50,000 first prize.

Tasked with submitting a portrait of an Australian, a number of well known identities have found their way onto the canvas, including Les Murray, Ben Elton and Barker’s artistic recreation of WA potato king Tony Galati.

Winners will be announced on October 14 with an exhibition of the finalists work on display at the Art Gallery of WA from October 8 to 31.