‘Jeff in his Garden’ shortlisted for the Martin Kantor Portrait Prize

This portrait features the renowned Australian artist, Jeff Moorfoot, photographed in his Lyonville home in 2019.

Jeff has a reputation that precedes him, and during my short visit, his quiet and complex character left a lasting impression. Moorfoot, a distinguished photographer and the founder of the Ballarat Biennale, has made significant contributions to the visual arts, earning him the Order of Australia Medal (OAM).

In this portrait, I sought to glimpse Moorfoot's enigmatic persona and his introspective nature. During my visit, I remember him saying, "We were fearless" when reflecting on the early days of running the festival. These words for me encapsulate the spirit that drove both Moorfoot and the festival's success, highlighting the dichotomy of his role as the festival's founder and his contemplative nature.

Collaborating with artist Katherina Rodrigues, we experimented with hand colouring a printed scene of his garden made from medium format, black and white film and incorporated the layering of prints in the presentation to express some of the nuances of Moorfoot's character.

This portrait is an acknowledgement of Moorfoot's artistic achievements and his enduring impact on the photographic community. My hope is that it speaks with sensitivity and nuance of his personality, exploring his visionary leadership within the intimate space of his garden.

It was a real pleasure working with Peter Hatzipavlis from Final Grade on this piece. The work was printed on Cason BFK Rives White (coloured illustration) and Hahnemule Rice Paper (B&W portrait).