The eyes of Australia’s arts community will be on UQ this Friday when a unique portrait prize is decided.

On November 27 the winner of the second University of Queensland National Artists’ Self-Portrait Prize will be announced from a strong field of 34 entrants.

Vying for the $50,000 acquisitive award are established and emerging Australian artists from across the country and even the Torres Strait.

The self-portrait prize complements the University’s special collection of self-portraits, the only one of its kind in the country.

“Over a few years, the University’s self-portrait collection has grown into a significant compilation of historical and contemporary works, by artists ranging from Rupert Bunny and William McInnes to Tracey Moffatt and Anastasia Klose,” UQ Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Greenfield said.

The inaugural prize in 2007 was won by Sydney artist Ben Quilty, whose first survey exhibition drew thousands of visitors to the UQ Art Museum earlier this year.

Art Museum Director Nick Mitzevich said he was delighted the prize had attracted such a diverse and accomplished field.

“Those who accepted our invitation to enter this year’s prize include former Archibald Prize-winners Del Kathryn Barton and Cherry Hood, along with artists such as Rick Amor, Peter Churcher, Shaun Gladwell, Lindy Lee, Fiona Lowry, TV Moore, Dennis Nona, Scott Redford, Luke Roberts, Julie Rrap, Martin Smith and Alick Tipoti,” Mr Mitzevich said.

“The exhibition highlights a growing interest by artists in the self-portrait and showcases the thoughtful and provocative ways that artists are reviving the genre, while also fostering debate about the role played by artists in society.”

Entrants have created their representations in multiple ways, with works on canvas competing alongside video, sculpture and multimedia works.

The 2009 prize will be judged by the director of the Museum of Contemporary Art, Elizabeth Ann Macgregor, with the winner announced on November 27 at 6.30pm.

The biennial event is invitation only, with all works available for acquisition by UQ.

The National Artists’ Self-Portrait Prize 2009 will be on show at the UQ Art Museum, St Lucia, from November 28 to January 24. Admission is free, with the museum open daily 10am – 4pm. Parking is free on weekends.

Media: Nick Mitzevich at the UQ Art Museum (07 3346 8787, 3365 3046, n.mitzevich@uq.edu.au) or Cameron Pegg at UQ Communications (07 3365 2049, c.pegg@uq.edu.au)

The University of Queensland National Artists’ Self-Portrait Prize 2009 Entrants

Rick Amor (VIC)

Del Kathryn Barton (NSW)

Lyndell Brown & Charles Green (VIC)

Peter Churcher (VIC/Spain)

Lucy Culliton (NSW)

eX de Medici (ACT)

Julie Dowling (WA)

Marian Drew (QLD)

McLean Edwards (NSW)

Leah Emery (QLD)

Shaun Gladwell (NSW)

Cherry Hood (NSW)

Linde Ivimey (VIC)

Leah King-Smith (QLD)

Sam Leach (VIC)

Lindy Lee (NSW)

Rhys Lee (VIC)

Fiona Lowry (NSW)

Gabriella & Silvana Mangano (VIC)

Amanda Marburg (VIC)

Dani Marti (NSW/UK/Spain)

TV Moore (NSW)

Dennis Nona (QLD)

Scott Redford (QLD)

Charles Robb (QLD)

Luke Roberts (QLD)

Julie Rrap (NSW)

Darren Siwes (SA)

Martin Smith (QLD)

Christian Bumbarra Thompson (VIC)

Alick Tipoti (QLD

Judy Watson (QLD)

William Yang (NSW)

Heidi Yardley (VIC)