Local artists make the cut in Brisbane Portrait Prize

A stunningly gritty photograph of Troy Cassar-Daley has earnt Bribie Island photographer Wayne Budge a spot as a finalist in one of Australia’s most prestigious portrait prizes.

He’s one of three artists from the Moreton Bay Region to be shortlisted as finalists in the Brisbane Portrait Prize – works from Deception Bay’s Craig Rohse and Redcliffe artist James Congdon will also hang in the Finalists Gallery exhibition at The Brisbane Powerhouse.

Budge captures the toll of COVID-19 on the music industry in Cassar-Daley’s posture in the portrait, with dramatic lighting and shadows reflecting the highs and lows live shows have experienced in the past few years.

“Troy is one of Australia’s most iconic Indigenous country music stars who had been hit hard with cancellations of gigs and shows due to Covid-19,” Budge says.

“Despite this, Troy took the difficulties of 2021 and used this time to not only release a new album, but to deeply reflect on all things past, present and future.”

Music royalty

Wayne Budge is no stranger to rubbing shoulders with the who’s who of Australian musicians, having amassed a dazzling array of portraits of local talent for his travelling exhibition, Faces Behind The Music, which is on at the Caboolture Regional Art Gallery from October 26-November 26.

“A few years ago, I had my own publicity company and I used to take photos of the high-flying performers who came to Australia,” Wayne says.

“But then some great Australian performers died and I realised that no-one was taking portraits of our music royalty – and it just grew from there.”

Renowned for his landscape photography filled with lush colours, the photos of musicians such as Leo Sayer, Deborah Conway, Kirk Pengilly, Doug Parkinson, Russell Morris, Glenn Shorrock, Greedy Smith and Sharon O’Neill are a stark departure from his usual style.

“Troy was one of the people I wanted to photograph,” Budge says.

“It’s got a bit of a gritty feel to it.”

Craig Rohse

Craig Rohse chose Deception Bay cartoonist Damian Castellini as his subject because he fitted the intended theme of the artwork.

Rohse says he creates art to “..start the conversation about military service and the reality of war”.

He says his piece, Messiah, The Liberator is more a commentary on the war in Iraq and the human cost to veterans, than it is about Castellini.

“My artwork is in response to this war and our official efforts to liberate the country from evil and the political inconvenient version that this war was largely about oil.

“When I was in the Defence force, religion played a big part.

“This is an image of a veteran showing his physical and mental scars, his wounds are bleeding crude oil to question the real motivation of the invasion.”

James Congdon

The Redcliffe artist says he paints what is around him in a spontaneous and fresh way and that while cluttered and busy, they have a visual coherence born of many hours in the studio.
His entry in the Brisbane Portrait Prize The Flatemate, is of his flatmate, Sarah.

“Sarah came to live with me from Flatmates.com, a few years ago,” Congdon says.

“We used to stay up drinking, and I’m not really into partying, but she is, and I accommodated her in that.

“We listened to all the old ‘70s and ‘80s music and raved about various singers.
“...the place was very cluttered…she liked me because I was an artist, but I wasn’t her type…lol..”

When the painting was almost finished, Congdon added himself, reflected in the mirror.

The Brisbane Portrait Prize Finalists Exhibition is at the Brisbane Powerhouse from September 29-October 30.

Entry is free, but visitor numbers are capped and booking online here is recommended.