IPSWICH will be represented once again in one of Queensland’s major art competitions, The Brisbane Portrait Prize.
Leonard Brown’s portrait titled ‘The Cypriot – Chris Gaynor’ 2021, has just been selected as a finalist in the competition.
Ipswich’s most respected artist is no stranger to the awards having taken the top prize in its inaugural year in 2019.
Leonard said his inspiration for his 2022 entry started at the age of 14 years old when he would frequently visit the National Gallery of Qld specifically to look at one painting, Sir William Dobell’s’The Cypriot’ of 1940.
His visits became so frequent that he became conspicuous. gallery attendant on one such visit told him to stay where he was…while he absented himself out back.
He returned with a large black and white gallery photograph of the painting which he gave to Leonard to take home.
On meeting Chris Gaynor in 2021 Leonard found his ideal model to create his own “The Cypriot”.
Leonard’s artwork and style is best known for his processed based abstract oil paintings.
In 2010 he won the prestigious Blake Prize for an abstract painting, “If You Put Your Ear Close, You’ll Hear It Breathing”.
In 2011 QUT Art Museum presented “Union with Reality. The Art of Leonard Brown.”
A 30-year survey of his work where the icons and the minimalist abstract paintings were shown side by side.
Leonard has had many solo exhibitions in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. The Brisbane Portrait Prize exhibition is at the Brisbane Powerhouse from September 29 to October 30.
