Doug Moran National Portrait Prize
Finalist 2019
DANDROGYNY
Portrait of Daniel Newell
Jimmi's painting DANDROGYNY (his second portrait of dancer and performer Daniel Newell as DANDROGYNY) was a finalist in the 2019 Doug Moran National Portrait Prize in Sydney and the 2019 Kennedy Art Prize in SA.
The painting, measuring 180cm x 180cm, was painted over three weeks in 2019.
-------------------------
Daniel Newell is a professional dancer and performance artist. He first attended dance classes in Warrnambool at the age of 9, where he was guided, inspired and supported by teachers including Melissa Dance and Donna Advincula. He left Warrnambool upon completing Secondary School to study dance at the Victorian College of the Arts. Daniel has had a highly diverse dance career from Bollywood films to Kylie Minogue clips to performing for Opera Australia and more recently as performance artist DANDROGYNY.
In Daniel’s words “DANDROGYNY is a hybrid; a fusion of man, woman, other, queerness, openness, colour, shade and love”.
Warrnambool Art Gallery
Warrnibald Portrait Prize
Winner People's Choice 2023
Fiona Clarke - Sister of the Stars
Portrait of Gunditjmara Artist Fiona Clarke
Fiona Clarke is a Kirrae Whurrong Aboriginal woman, who for over 30 years has depicted her Aboriginal culture through visual art. To me personally, Fiona has been a close friend, colleague and mentor since 2018, when she was one of four judges for the Warrnibald Portrait Prize, the first year I entered. Since then, Fiona has been a huge support to me and my work and has helped teach me to respect myself, my work and my worth. In 2019 I visited an exhibition of Fiona’s works at the WAG titled Seven Sisters, and it is from this series of 7 paintings that I found inspiration for her portrait.
Our most ancient ancestors are the stars. The elements that our bodies are composed of were first birthed within supernovas. Painting Fiona within the Cosmos alongside the Seven Sisters constellation (Kuurrokeheaar) speaks to the enduring and infinite aspects of her being in this lifetime and that of before and beyond.
The story of the Seven Sister's collective feminine rise against persecution can be found in cultures across the world, placing it as one of humanities oldest stories. Within Fiona's own personal story, she too has overcome significant adversity. Today she rises, her star bright and strong.
Warrnambool Art Gallery
Warrnibald Portrait Prize
Second Place - Judges Prize 2021
Connor
Portrait of artist Connor Ovended-Shaw
Connor Ovenden-Shaw is a prolific queer artist and writer exploring themes of gender, love and body image within their work.
Connor completed an Arts degree in 2017 and has exhibited in both the Warrnambool Art Gallery and the F Project Gallery respectfully. They have self published a collection of poetry and produced a number of zines.
In 2018 Connor and partner Ben were the first gay couple to be legally married in South West Victoria. This placed Connor and Ben into the spotlight, attracting community and media attention, congratulations, death threats and physical violence.
My portrait of Connor is a celebration of their resilience, courage and pride, inviting the viewer to consider their relationship to the diversity of the human body, our perceptions of beauty, and the way we accept and care for each other.
Warrnibald Portrait Prize
Finalist 2020
------
Guy
Portrait of Guy Heath​
Guy Heath 1992 – 2019
Photographer, musician, friend, son, brother, lover.
Painting my dear friend Guy as a gift to his parents was one of the most moving and meaningful experiences of my life. We all miss you Guy
​
Reflections of Guy, by we who loved him: loyal, generous, immaculate, soul brother to no end, calming, spiritual, good vibes til the end, modest, effortlessly kind, cool, gentle, genuine, fun-loving, joyous, playful, caring, deep, respectful, a true gentleman, admirable, sincere, style with a smile, whole authentic love, plethora of love, humble groover, beautiful, hilarious, suave whole-hearted hugs.
Guy Heath, you are dearly missed by many.
I painted Guy’s portrait in June 2020, listening to his favourite album, i,i by Bon Iver. I painted. I sang. I cried.
Warrnibald Portrait Prize 2018
Winner - People's Choice Award
------
MANHOOD
Portrait of Daniel Newell
as DANDROGYNY
MANHOOD won the People's Choice Award at the Warrnambool Art Gallery's Warrnibald Portrait Prize in 2018. Following the exhibition, the painting was purchased by the Warrnambool Art Gallery as part of their permanent collection of works.
-------------------------
Daniel Newell is a professional dancer and performance artist. He first attended dance classes in Warrnambool at the age of 9, where he was guided, inspired and supported by teachers including Melissa Dance and Donna Advincula. He left Warrnambool upon completing Secondary School to study dance at the Victorian College of the Arts. Daniel has had a highly diverse dance career from Bollywood films to Kylie Minogue clips to performing for Opera Australia and more recently as performance artist DANDROGYNY.
In Daniel’s words “DANDROGYNY is a hybrid; a fusion of man, woman, other, queerness, openness, colour, shade and love”.
Jimmi and Daniel Newell with portrait MANHOOD
Warrnibald Portrait Prize 2017
WINNER - Judges Main Prize
------
Jennifer and Rosie (SOLD)
In August 2017, Jimmi took first place at the Warrnambool Art Gallery and WDEA Warrnibald Portrait Prize for his portrait of asylum seeker advocate, story teller and mentor of young people, Jennifer Chambers.
Jennifer & Rosie
(Small acts of kindness)
Acrylic Paint on Linen - 900 x 600
Jennifer is here to help others find their own voice and story. She has spent much of her career with young people in South West Victoria fostering self-expression, inner strength and confident curiosity in her professional roles both in the education and not-for-profit sectors. Jennifer currently runs a business coaching people in performance and public speaking, with many young people learning the life changing power of being seen and heard authentically. True to her Irish heritage, she has a deep love of poetry, song and story-telling and receives great joy in sharing this with others.
Jennifer has a deep sensitivity to all living beings and is strongly moved to help those in most need. She has been highly active advocating for the rights of Asylum Seekers through groups such as Love Makes a Way and Rural Australia for Refugees, whilst supporting the local Greens Party through fund raising activities and election day tasks. Jennifer has worked for many years for the Prevention of Violence Against Women and Children program and has led many confronting but enlightening conversations with students through the Young People and Healthy Relationships program on the topics of sex, love and safety.