JESS MACNEIL / NATIONAL ARTISTS' SELF PORTRAIT PRIZE

Jess MacNeil_Mistakes were made_2013_(detail)

Congratulations to Jess MacNeil who is a finalist in the 2013 National Artists' Self Portrait Prize at the University of Queensland Art Museum. Jess was was selected as a finalist in the prize for her self-portrait Mistakes were made.

The National Artists' Self-Portrait Prize is a biennial award that highlights the enduring importance of self portraiture as an artistic subject. UQ Art Museum is developing the National Collection of Artists’ Self Portraits, and this acquisitive prize serves to highlight the strength of contemporary Australian self portraiture. The Prize and Collection understand the self portrait in an inclusive way that invites a broad term of reference in both media and meaning. 

The self has long been an artistic subject for humanity, intimately expressing how individuals have seen themselves while simultaneously providing insights to wider cultural trends and values. It is in this way that self portraiture can be seen as a unique and important part of our shared cultural heritage, as the self remains an important subject for artists today. Contemporary self portraits encourage debate around a range of issues including individuality and identity.

The 2013 prize was judged by Blair French, Assistant Director, Curatorial and Digital at the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia.

An exhibition of the finalists work can be seen at the University of Queensland Art Museum until 16 February 2014.