Striking portrait helps Tessa win award

Tessa McOnie has been voted the best in the Cossack Art Award People’s Choice Award for her visually arresting portrait painting titled Larry Smith.

It was a competition which couldn’t get any closer, with Tessa’s artwork receiving 76 votes, beating fellow artist Vicki Sangster’s artwork Linked to the Land by one vote.

Ms McOnie said she was amazed to win the award and didn’t really believe it at the time.

“I do believe the People’s Choice means a great deal, if not more than the main category prizes,” she said.

She said she painted the portrait for Larry, a 17-year-old boy from the Mowanjun community, more than anyone else.

Ms McOnie hails from Perth and volunteers up in the Mowanjun community several times a year, which is how she met Larry.

“To see Larry grow… He’s an absolute superstar up there. He’s a legend and he’s such an endearing character, so I always feel privileged to paint his portrait, and I always wonder how I want to portray him,” she said.

“But that face in particular. That striking eye, that position, that front-on look is exactly how he is in life so I try my best to try and capture who they are and what they are onto canvas in a dignifying way.”

The 2013 Cossack Art Award judges Seva Frangos and Lindy Lee also commended Tessa’s piece.

They have praised the work for the arresting eye contact the viewer has with the subject, giving a sense of recognition.

“There is a meeting between viewer and subject.

The work shows highly accomplished technique, which goes beyond photographic realism. A lovely moment,” they said.

A total of 4898 people visited the 2013 Cossack Art Award over the three-week exhibition period, with 1110 people voting for their favourite artwork in the People’s Choice Award.

The 2013 Cossack Art Award is a Shire of Roebourne and principal partner Rio Tinto project. To see more of Tessa’s work, go to www.tessamconie.com.au.