© National Portrait Gallery 2025
King Edward Terrace, Parkes
Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia
Phone +61 2 6102 7000
ABN: 54 74 277 1196
Darling Portrait Prize 2020 Finalist
Matt Ottley is an award-winning multi-modal artist, working across the fields of literature, visual arts and music. We usually meet while he performs in Perth, although his busy work schedule meant finding time for sittings was a challenge. I find him extremely interesting, both intellectually and visually. His deeply set, piercing-but-kind eyes hold my full attention; the intensity of his stare is in complete contrast to his calm and quiet manner. His awards include the Children’s Book Council of Australia Picture Book of the Year, both the Queensland and New South Wales Premier’s Awards for Literature, and the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) Australia Honour Book for his illustration.
The Darling Prize is a new biennial prize for Australian portrait painters, painting Australian sitters. The winner receives a cash prize of $75,000.
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