Coffee painted works, aluminum steel and linen are just some of the interesting materials used to create painted works shortlisted in the 2024 Adam Portraiture Award. The competition attracted a record breaking 451 entries, of which 37 have been selected as finalists.

Well known New Zealanders including musician Chris Knox and artist Fiona Pardington feature along with portraits depicting friends, family members, colleagues and several compelling self-portraits, adding depth and richness to the exhibition. Many of the shortlisted artists represent a diverse spectrum of backgrounds and professions, spanning various industries. From a paramedic to a veterinary surgeon, retired marine biologist, secondary school teacher, student, and graphic designer, each individual brings a unique attitude and story to their portrait.

The biennial award, generously sponsored by The Adam Foundation and presented by The New Zealand Portrait Gallery Te Pūkenga Whakaata, is one of the country’s longest running art prizes which has a cash prize of $20,000, national recognition and regularly tours the country.

Anyone can apply to enter this anonymously selected biennial contest, as long as the artist is a New Zealand resident or citizen. All portraits must be predominantly painted, and subjects have to be a New Zealand resident or citizen.

The Adam Portraiture Award is known for launching careers. Previous winners include Jessica Gurnsey in 2022 who remains the youngest person to have won, Sacha Lees in 2020, Logan Moffat in 2018, André Brönnimann in 2016, Henry Christian-Slane in 2014, Stephen Martyn Welch in 2012, Harriet Bright in 2010, Irene Ferguson in 2008 and Freeman White in 2006.

Interestingly, this year marks a historic moment for the awards as there are no past winners among the shortlisted artists, ensuring a fresh champion will emerge. Among the 37 talented artists, 4 were finalists in 2022 (Michael Crowley, Clark Roworth, Raewyn Helms Davis, Jana Branca), 12 have been finalists in previous years before 2022, and 21 are making their debut as finalists. Finalists hail from various regions throughout New Zealand with one based in Australia.

The winner of the competition and recipient of a $20,000 cash prize will be selected in person by the judges at the start of the public exhibition showcasing all finalists’ works at the New Zealand Portrait Gallery Te Pūkenga Whakaata. An additional prize of $2,500 will be awarded to the runner up alongside another $2,500 prize for the People’s Choice, awarded at the end of the Adam Portraiture Award exhibition.

Reflecting on the 2024 entries, Jaenine Parkinson, Director of the NZ Portrait Gallery commented “With an abundance of choice, creativity, skill, and uniqueness to choose from, our judges set themselves the task of searching for that elusive ‘x-factor’ that sets some artworks apart from others. That might have been the adept capturing not only a face, but also a subject’s attitude, or the way they portrayed more about an individual by considering the place and things around them.” Judges Felicity Milburn, Lead Curator at Christchurch Art Gallery, and Wellington-based artist Karl Maughan meticulously reviewed and shortlisted the entries.

The winning submission will be announced on Wednesday 22 May and the exhibition will run at the New Zealand Portrait Gallery Te Pūkenga Whakata in Shed 11 on Wellington’s waterfront from 23 May to 11 August 2024.

The full list of finalists can be found at the New Zealand Portrait Gallery or online at www.nzportraitgallery.org.nz

Images of the finalists works can be found here.