This year has already been a tremendous one for many of our alumni, faculty and students competing in several competitions throughout the world. We would like to highlight several of our community members who have been awarded as finalists and winners in various categories for their paintings and sculptures! Congratulations to all!
Portrait Society of America
24th Annual International Portrait Competition
Two alumni of The Florence Academy of Art received accolades in this year’s International Portrait Competition by the Portrait Society of America (PSA): Jamie Coreth received Second Place for Self Portrait with an Expression of a Sculpture of me by my Father and Carla Paine received a Certificate of Excellence for Going Home.
Jamie Coreth
“Self Portrait with an Expression of a Sculpture of me by my Father”, Oil on linen, 48 x 24 in. 2021
Future Generation Competition
Additionally, in the PSA’s second annual Future Generation Competition, FAA Drawing and Painting student Saara Väli received Third Place for the painting Silent Mind. This competition was created to acknowledge the work of talented, emerging artists, who are 18 to 25 years old.
The Tom Bass Prize
The Tom Bass Prize is the first national Australian prize for figurative sculpture. The inaugural exhibition of finalists’ works was held in March 2016 at Juniper Hall, Paddington, Sydney, home of the Moran prize, in commemoration of Tom Bass’ (1916 – 2010) centenary year, and the prize is held biennially. In 2022, Maudie Brady, Director of the Écorché Sculpture and Anatomy programs at The Florence Academy of Art, and Georgina Mills, a graduate of the FAA’s sculpture program, were both selected as finalists, with Maudie Brady being named a Joint Winner of the prize! This important and prestigious Prize is a celebration of the human form and its influence on today’s sculptors. The Prize is an acknowledgement of the influence Tom Bass had as one of Australia’s pre-eminent public sculptors.
Georgina Mills
“Measure of Strength”, Polyester resin mounted on a eucalyptus base, H98 x W46 x D28 cm
“Measure of Strength is a study of physical endurance, of one’s ability to sit in and push beyond their bodily threshold of pain. Today however, with lockdowns and quarantines being part of the norm this becomes trivial to one’s ability to sit in and be with one’s own mind. This highlights the importance of mental endurance, character and strength in self over physicality.” – Georgina Mills
Royal Society of Portrait Painters (RSPP)
The Royal Society of Portrait Painters is a British Society that contains a broad collection of stylistic and intellectual approaches that continue to make a significant contribution to the ongoing tradition of portraiture in Britain today. The Society vigorously looks to uphold the values and practices of its long and distinguished history, but at the same time, it seeks to explore and develop new artistic models and perspectives in this endlessly fascinating and relevant discipline. This year’s Annual Exhibition which features works by RSPP members and international applicants alike, included several FAA Alumni and Instructors:
Frederick Albrow
“Martina”, Oil on canvas, 50 x 40 cm
“Self Portrait Looking Forward”, Oil on wooden panel, 30 x 18 cm
Anastasia Pollard
“James”, Oil on panel, 20 x 25 cm
“Self Portrait”, Oil on panel, 20 x 25 cm
“Serene”, Oil on panel, 25 x 20 cm
We hope you enjoyed this wonderful selection of artworks created by FAA graduates, and, if you would like to browse more, you may visit our Alumni Gallery.
