Winner of the 2024 Richard Lester Prize for Portraiture

What an honour! thankyou to everyone involved, and all the other wonderful artists.

The winner of the 2024 $50,000 Richard Lester Prize for Portraiture is Ben Howe!

Judges' note provided by Rex Butler, Alec Coles OAM, Hannah Mathews:

Ben Howe's Cartagena Library reminded the selection committee of the German artist Hans Holbein's The Ambassadors (1533). It's a portrait of two self-possessed men sitting in a library staring confidently at the viewer, surrounded by the finer things of life. But the twist is that they are not the usual inhabitants of the room but playing a role. They are two gay men portrayed as their straight friends in a room that is not theirs. (The judges hope they have got this right.) But it doesn't really matter. It's a beautifully done painting that remains permanently enigmatic like that great Holbein.

 

Finalist in the 2024 Archibald prize

 

I’m delighted to announce that my painting of Dr Kylie Moore-Gilbert and Sami Shah is a finalist in the 2024 Archibald prize.

Sami and Kylie are remarkable people, and it was an honor to paint them.

Solo Exhibition: ASHEN RAINBOW

opens September 2nd at 6 - 8pm

The exhibition will be running from 2nd until the 24th of  September

Address: Compendium Gallery, 909 High St Armadale 3141

An exhibition of intricate, process driven artworks which explore ideas surrounding consciousness, constructed realities and the incongruities of memory.  

'The More Things Change' - My Solo Exhibition Opens July 16

Opens July 16 at Beinart gallery307 Victoria Street Brunswick, VIC, Australia 3056

Ben Howe combines scientific and spiritual concepts in ‘The More Things Change,’ a series of meditations on identity, consciousness and temporal existence.

Beautiful Bizarre Magazine curated exhibition 'Interconnected'

 

See My painting The Fish and the Crab' at New England Regional Art Museum (NERAM) in Armidale NSW, Australia

 

13 May 26 June

New England Regional Art Museum

106 - 114 Kentucky Street

Armidale NSW 2350

 

Beautiful Bizarre Magazine art prize 2021: honourable mention

 

I’m delighted to announce that my painting ‘Passage’ has received an honourable mention in the 2021 Beautiful Bizarre Magazine art prize!

This was truly unexpected, and an extra surprise considering the high caliber of finalists this year.

Congratulations to all the other wonderful artists, and thank you Haven Gallery for the award.

https://beautifulbizarreartprize.art/winner-of-the-2021-beautiful-bizarre-art-prize-announced/

Lucid 2021, Beinart Gallery. Saturday, April 24th - to May 16th

Lucid 2021 is an exhibition of diverse works by a variety of highly skilled artists. This exhibition showcases art that expands the imagination with themes of the otherworldly, juxtapositions that challenge the mind and beauty and darkness that thrill and entice even while sometimes repelling the viewer.

Antipodes 2021. An exhibition of Australian artists at Beinart Gallery

 

Doug Moran National Portrait Prize 2019

I can happily announce that I am now a finalist in TWO of Australia's most prestigious awards, book ending my solo show and all crammed into the space of just over a week! My painting ‘Matilda’ can be seen in the Doug Moran National Portrait Prize (Sydney) from October 30.  

My Next Exhibition, Leviathan, Opens November 2

My next exhibition, ‘Leviathan’ will be held at the wonderful Beinart Gallery on the 2^nd of November.

https://beinart.org/

I’ve used biblical imagery, gothic motifs, and specific character tropes from Herman Melville’s classic novel, Moby Dick to reflect on the dichotomy of power, narcissism, and the natural world.

The series of paintings utilize hand-made sculptures and collage to create the imagery.

Come one and all – I will be there to have a chat!

1 Sparta Pl, Brunswick VIC 3056