Named among Adam finalists

Tyler Wray’s portrait of her sister Keziah has been selected for the finals of the Adam Portraiture Award. Picture supplied

Gisborne artist Tyler Wray is a finalist in the prestigious Adam Portraiture Award after being selected from a record-breaking number of entries.

The 19-year-old has always loved to draw and paint but said the portrait was the first large scale artwork she had done since finishing at Te Kura correspondence school where she got the highest mark of excellence for NCEA art.

She works full-time baking at Puku Ora, a cafe and catering business owned by her mother, and painted the portrait after work in the garage at home.

The portrait is an oil painting of her younger sister Keziah (15) which she painted from a photograph.

“I took the photo at sunset in our backyard and wanted to capture the way the light came off her,” Wray says.

“I felt inspired to do the painting after returning from Mum’s marae in Northland where we did lots of talking at the urupā (burial ground), often sitting on the grass.

“I wanted to showcase the connection I felt to my heritage at that time.”

The background is a mixture of Māori designs that represent the vibrancy of her whakapapa.

“I’ve got a really talented family who are artists — my uncle is Will Ngakuru who has work in the Auckland Art Gallery.”

“I look up to my family who pursue art.”

She said she felt quite overwhelmed knowing she had made it into the finals.

The 37 finalists were selected from 451 entries. They include musician Chris Knox and artist Fiona Pardington and their work depicts friends, family members, colleagues and several compelling self-portraits, adding depth and richness to the exhibition.

Many of the shortlisted artists represent a diverse spectrum of backgrounds and professions, spanning various industries. They range from a paramedic and a veterinary surgeon to a retired marine biologist, a secondary school teacher, a student and a graphic designer. Each brings a unique attitude and story to their portrait.

The biennial award, sponsored by The Adam Foundation and presented by The New Zealand Portrait Gallery Te Pūkenga Whakaata, is one of the country’s longest running art prizes, with a  cash prize of $20,000, national recognition and regular national tours.

Anyone can apply to enter this anonymously selected biennial contest, as long as the artist is a New Zealand resident or citizen. All portraits must be predominantly painted, and subjects have to be a New Zealand resident or citizen.

The Adam Portraiture Award is known for launching careers. Previous winners include Jessica Gurnsey in 2022 who remains the youngest person to have won, Sacha Lees in 2020, Logan Moffat in 2018, André Brönnimann in 2016, Henry Christian-Slane in 2014, Stephen Martyn Welch in 2012, Harriet Bright in 2010, Irene Ferguson in 2008 and Freeman White in 2006.

The winner of the competition will be selected in person by the judges at the start of the exhibition showcasing all finalists’ works at the New Zealand Portrait Gallery Te Pūkenga Whakaata, in Wellington.

An additional prize of $2500 will be awarded to the runner-up alongside another $2500 prize for the People’s Choice, awarded at the end of the Adam Portraiture Award exhibition.

The full list of finalists can be found at the New Zealand Portrait Gallery or online at www.nzportraitgallery.org.nz/adam-portraiture-award/2024-finalists

■ Other Gisborne artists who have made it to the finals of the Adam Portraiture Award include  Michael Crowley (2023), Carol Montgomery (2008)  and Jess Jacobs (2004).