Cover Image: Jenny Rodgerson, Self-portrait, 2025, oil on linen, 58 x 49 cm (right), and Ignacio Rojas, Son of the storm, 2024, oil on polycotton canvas, 43 x 33 cm (left).

Lester Prize for Portraiture Exhibition
WA Museum Boola Bardip
19 September – 16 November

Now celebrating its eighteenth consecutive year, the Lester Prize for Portraiture has returned in 2025 and continues to nurture artistic tradition and champion the human spirit. Though recently becoming the richest portraiture prize in Australia and with over one-thousand submissions from across the country this year alone, its selection remains exceedingly down-to-earth while also maintaining a high standard of artistic expression.

The Lester Prize has consistently been accessible, and artist focused, as no submissions have didactics at the time of submission to indicate which artists created them. This means that artists can not only be assured their works will be judged on their own merit, but the submission process also eliminates some of the nerves of going up against Australia’s biggest names in portraiture.

The winners of the Lester Prize were announced last Friday night from the final group of forty artworks that form the complete exhibition. With seven categories available to win, the atmosphere in the room was electric with anticipation. 

The Lester Prize for Portraiture Winners

The overall winner of the Richard Lester Prize for Portraiture was a self-portrait by Victoria-based artist Jenny Rodgerson. Simple in composition and candid in its execution, it was heartening to see an artwork win that truly takes portraiture back to its roots.

In the portrait Rodgerson looks directly at the viewer, an effect she achieved by keeping a mirror close to the canvas. The piece renders her naked body, in oil on linen, from the chest upwards, in green and fleshy tones and with a background so dark it was reminiscent of Rembrandt’s own portraits. Through this portrait Rodgerson has depicted and indeed confronted herself in an unflinching manner, achieving a captivating truth in the heart of her depiction. 

The winner of the Minderoo Foundation Spirit Prize was Martumulli artist Sylvia Wilson for her acrylic on canvas work My daughter (Great grandmother) (2025). Wilson’s portrait embodies the strength of the women in her community through the sitter’s steadfast expression and colour palette of bold blues, yellows and reds.

The Barton Family Installer’s Prize, which was selected by the WA Museum Boola Bardip Installation team, was won by Gene Hart-Smith for Family on Dangar Island (2024) in oil on canvas. Hart-Smith’s portrait of his family at their home on Dangar Island near Sydney is a textured and gritty portrayal of their search for a safe and stable place to call home.

The portrait of nine-time Archibald Prize finalist Tsering Hannaford by Adelaide-based artist Sophie Hann won the Eyewall Foundation Highly Commended Prize. Hann’s bright and gestural portrait of the seated Hannaford in oil on wood is a testament to the sitter’s energy and tenacity.

Sue Eva took out the Ashurst Emerging Artist Prize with her self-portrait in acrylic on canvas entitled Sue’s Space (2025). In this work the artist has painted their face as it has been reflected in a silver teapot and is a thoughtful and creative way to exhibit the artist’s burgeoning talent.

Finally, Adelaide-based artist Ignacio Rojas was voted by his fellow artists to receive the Toni Fini Foundation Artist prize for the portrait of his son; Son of the storm (2025). It is no surprise why this portrait was singled out as the artists’ choice; Rojas’ command of oil paints on polycotton creates a smooth and seemingly effortless blend of realism and impressionism for an effect that feels like part photograph and part dream.

Visitors to the Lester Prize can still vote for the Baldock People’s Choice Award, which will be announced no later than Thursday 27 November 2025. 

I always look forward to reviewing this prize and its subsequent exhibition, there is something for every visitor no matter if you are a frequent gallery attender or a chance passer-by. The Lester Prize remains as strong, grounded, and accessible as ever.

For more information on The Lester Prize, including finalists and attending the exhibition, visit https://www.lesterprize.com