ABC is thrilled to announce that award winning actor Miranda Tapsell (The Sapphires, Top End Wedding) and beloved comedian Luke McGregor (Rosehaven, The Weekly) are hosting Portrait Artist of the Year – a brand-new, eight-part competition series celebrating one of the most accessible and provocative forms of art: the portrait.
For the first time, amateur and professional artists go head-to-head in Portrait Artist of the Year, competing for the ultimate prize: a life-changing commission to hang in the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra.
In each episode, nine artists, from emerging talents to established professionals, have just four hours to create a portrait of a well-known celebrity. Their work is then judged by three esteemed Australian art experts: Director of the National Portrait Gallery of Australia, Bree Pickering; award winning, multi-disciplinary artist, Abdul Abdullah; and Associate Professor of Art History at the Australian National University (ANU), Robert Wellington.
Both Miranda and Luke share a passion for portraiture and know that every great painting tells a story. Together, they guide viewers through the creativity, surprises and magic that unfold with every brushstroke.
“Art makes people reflect on who they are and what to become. Nothing brings out empathy more than someone putting their heart on canvas. What I love most about this series is how it shows that art doesn’t divide, it unites. The artists are incredibly talented, and their portraits far exceed anything I could have imagined,” Miranda Tapsell said.
“My favourite part of filming this series (other than working with Miranda Tapsell) was seeing the sitters’ reaction to the artists’ portraits: joy, tears, shock – seeing themselves in a way they never have before.
Sitting for hours while people paint you is daunting – even our guests who are used to being on camera felt more vulnerable than usual – but the reveal was always magical, as was the bond that formed between the artists and their subject. I loved being a part of this show,” Luke McGregor said.
“Audiences are going to love Portrait Artist of the Year which bursts with creativity and uncovers extraordinary talent – artists of every age, style and background from across Australia. Joyous, inspiring, and full of heart, this is an art show for everyone," said Kath Earle, Head Arts, Music and Events.
Who will be Australia’s first Portrait Artist of the Year? Find out when the series airs later this year on ABC TV and ABC iview.
Always free, always entertaining, discover a range of arts programming on ABC iview now.
Production credits:
Portrait Artist of the Year is produced by Endemol Shine Australia (a Banijay Entertainment company) for ABC. Executive Producer, David McDonald. Series Producer: Maria Handas. Post Executive Producer: Kate Feely. Director: Kate Douglas Walker. ABC Head of Arts, Music and Events: Kath Earle. ABC Commissioning Editor: Rachel Robinson.
