Alexander Annett's portrait of Warrnambool artist Glenn Morgan took out first place in the people's choice award for online Archibool Prize.
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Thousands of votes were cast to decided this year's winner after the COVID-19 pandemic had sent the The Warrnibald Prize exhibition at the Warrnambool Art Gallery online.
The Warrnibald 2020 is a non-acquisitive open-entry portraiture exhibition and art prize and the Warrnibald Prize winner was selected by a panel of judges in July.
Portrait subjects for the people's choice award are those who are currently or have previously, made significant contributions in south-west Victoria or have represented our region in Australia or overseas.
With over 2000 votes lodged for the Archibool, the event continued to make a positive impact on the south-west community despite the challenges presented by Covid-19.
In his sitter-description, Annett described Morgan as a Warrnambool-based artist and educator whose work was held in the collections of Canberra's The National Gallery of Australia, Brisbane's Museum of Contemporary Art and Museum of Victoria and Maritime Museum as well as in several regional galleries.
Second place was awarded to Rachael Maniapoto for her work entitled Emerging Uncle - a portrait of Mark Weston, proud Gunditjmara man and local tattooist.
In her sitter-description, Maniapoto said that since Mark's adolescence he had shown initiative and leadership within the local community.
"The first to graduate from Warrnambool Clontarf Academy achieving skills necessary to captain the Clontarf Football team where they won the club championship leadership award," she said.
"In 2011, Mark's activism for mental health began when he participated in the Blank Page Summit in Broome that addressed mental illness and youth suicides in Indigenous communities.
"Mark continues to use his platform to raise funds and awareness for Headspace, CFA Victoria and Beyond Blue."
Warrnambool Art Gallery director Vanessa Gerrans said that with thousands of votes cast, The Archibool Prize had been a tremendous success.
"The artistic community in the south-west is bold, committed and supportive of one another," she said.
"Pivoting the exhibition online this year has enabled artists to receive greater recognition for their work, sitters to be highly praised for their contributions to the region, and the community to cast their votes both in the gallery and online. Congratulations to Alexander Annett and Rachael Maniapoto."
Ms Gerrans said Annett's portrait was a strong contender for the judge's selection.
"So, for the community to also recognise the strength of this work by voting in support is a great reflection of how fantastic this painting is," she said.
The Warrnibald Prize competition helps raise funds to support WDEA Work's Social Enterprise ArtLink Program - an initiative that assists people with a range of abilities identify and achieve their creative goals, and promote the inclusivity of everyone in community life.
This year more than $2500 was raised for the program.
WDEA Works CEO Tom Scarborough said it was important for local artists to have the opportunity to participate in this competition as well as the community to see themselves and people the know reflected in the portraits.
"It is wonderful celebration of the south-west community. Thank you to everyone who entered and voted and a heartfelt congratulations to Alexander Annett and Rachael Maniapoto," he said.
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