Local artist finalist in prestigious prize

BENDIGO artist Alanah Ellen Brand has been named as a finalist for this year’s Archibald Prize.

Australia’s premier portraiture arts prize, Brand’s work is of artist Solomon Kammer who’s also her mentor, and herself a finalist in the Archibald last year.

Kammer has five diagnosed conditions, though has been told she is not disabled enough for formal acknowledgment as a person living with disability and Brand said she wanted to bring her mentor’s story to light through art.

“I painted this portrait of Solomon with the intent of entering it into the Archibald Prize 2023,” she said.

“This is my first entry, and I am absolutely thrilled that it has been selected as a finalist. This is truly a dream come true.”

Brand is a born and bred local, having attended Flora Hill Primary and Flora Hill Secondary College – now named Bendigo South East College – before heading to La Trobe to undertake a Masters in Visual Art in 2018.

Her connection to her former high school remains, with Brand now working as an art teacher at BSE.

Bendigo Venues and Events coordinator of creative communities Maree Tonkin said it was thrilling to see a local artist reach Archibald’s short list.

“The City congratulates Alanah on her stunning portrait and our fingers will be tightly crossed when the winning portrait is announced on Friday, 5 May,” she said.

“This is also very special for Bendigo’s creative community because Alanah has benefited from the City’s Artist on View program.”

That program provides artists with support for venues, technician, and promotion, and is open to those practising in the area.

Successful applicants can access $1000 to cover exhibition costs, and currently, six, including Brand, have been selected this year.