Thurgate received the accolade for his portrait of Ann Thomson
Holding Redlich has awarded the 2024 Salon des Refusés People’s Choice Award to Noel Thurgate for his portrait of fellow artist Ann Thomson.
“We are honoured to present the Holding Redlich People’s Choice Award to Noel. His artwork demonstrates his talent, his respect for the artists who have influenced him, and the important role mentors play in society”, NSW and ACT state managing partner Darren Pereira said.
Thurgate had submitted the portrait of Thomson as an entry for the Archibald Prize. The work, he said, was “a personal acknowledgement of her contribution to the school over many years, as well as my deep admiration for her lifelong dedication to the processes and practices of drawing and painting”.
Thurgate has documented portraits of artists for almost 10 years. He started as an exhibiting artist in the 1970s and began teaching at the National Art School in the 1980s. This was his second appearance as part of the Salon des Refusés exhibit.
Salon des Refusés is as an exhibition of works that were not chosen for the Archibald or Wynne Prizes. The People’s Choice winner is determined by exhibit visitors.
For 26 years, Holding Redlich has backed the Salon des Refusés and the People’s Choice Award in line with its long-standing partnership with the National Trust’s S.H. Ervin Gallery. This year’s exhibit wrapped up on 25 August.
