The Lester Prize is one of Australia’s most prestigious portraiture competitions, offering an impressive $121,000 prize pool across 10 categories and two exhibitions. Renowned for spotlighting emerging talent, the Lester Prize’s blind judging process ensures that the art—not the artist’s background—takes centre stage.
Established in 2007, the Lester Prize has become a cornerstone for Australian artists looking to make their mark. The 2024 winners have just been announced and the season is in full swing—don’t miss your chance to explore the incredible artworks, hear directly from the artists, or even create your own artwork under their guidance!
Lester Prize 2024 Winners
Competing against almost 800 entries to an esteemed panel of judges is no easy feat. Congratulations to the 2024 Lester Prize winners!
OVERALL WINNER:
We are thrilled to announce Ben Howe as the overall winner of the 2024 Richard Lester Prize for Portraiture, earning the $50,000 cash award for his oil painting, Cartagena Library, which blends reality with the impression of a hazy memory.
OTHER AWARDS
Vicki Sullivan and Dylan Jones received Highly Commended awards, while Jenna Pickering was named the Ashurst Emerging Artist Prize winner, taking home $5,000. Rachael Robb won the Barton Family Foundation Installers’ Prize with a $10,000 award, and Lucinda Tassone was honoured with the Minderoo Foundation Spirit Prize, also receiving $10,000 for her emotive work.
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The Artist Choice award is yet to be revealed, and the public can now vote for the People’s Choice Prize, a $15,000 award to be announced on 27 November
2024 Exhibition Season
The main exhibition showcases the top 40 artworks out of 800 entries. For the first time the exhibition is taking place at WA Museum Boola Bardip, which kicked off with an exciting opening night on Friday September 13. From September 14 to November 17, visitors can experience all 40 finalists’ works displayed in this stunning venue. Or you can sneak a preview here.
Over the opening weekend, September 14–15, you can see the artists behind the portraits! Gain firsthand insights during the artist talks running from 12 pm to 3 pm on Saturday and Sunday, featuring talents like Daevid Anderson, Liz Gridley, Jenna Pickering, and Brenton Dreschler, see their artworks below.
Workshop Series
Immerse yourself in the world of portraiture with workshops led by some of Australia’s finest contemporary portrait artists, including this year’s finalists. In partnership with the WA Museum, these workshops are $45 each, with all materials provided.
The Lester Collective
Support the arts by joining The Lester Collective. As a member, you’ll enjoy exclusive behind-the-scenes events, immersive experiences, and regular updates on the Australian art scene. If you’d just like to offer support, know that every donation made is 100% tax-deductible, helping to elevate emerging artists across the country. Joining comes with tailored benefits and recognition, so why not check it out?