Hinterland artist David Bongiorno shortlisted for Brisbane Portrait Prize
By Sonia Isaacs
WITTA-based artist David Bongiorno has been named a finalist in the prestigious Brisbane Portrait Prize with his striking oil-on-canvas work Built This Way (Portrait of Karl S. Williams).
The portrait captures acclaimed singer-songwriter Karl S. Williams, known for his raw, soulful voice and award-winning songwriting. Williams, a recipient of Gold Coast Music Awards and Queensland Music Awards, is celebrated for performances that explore the complexities of the human experience.
David approached the portrait using traditional atelier techniques, painting freehand to preserve an authentic and painterly quality.
“I wanted Karl’s quiet presence to command the viewer’s attention,” he said. “His intense gaze follows us while drawing us in to create an intensely personal experience.”
The composition, rich in impasto brushwork and dramatic light, contrasts Williams’ serene, “holy man” countenance with the passion and power of his live performances.
An award-winning artist, David has exhibited across the Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide, Melbourne, and the Southern Highlands. His practice centres on exploring the human condition through figurative, portrait, and still-life works layered with meaning and refined composition. Alongside his studio practice, he undertakes commissions and teaches drawing and painting in Brisbane, Toowoomba, and the Sunshine Coast.
The Brisbane Portrait Prize, now in its sixth year, celebrates contemporary portraiture and features works from some of the nation’s most accomplished artists. Winners will be announced later this month at Brisbane Powerhouse, where all finalist works will be on public display.
“I’m so pleased that this major piece I’ve been working on for the last six months has been accepted,” David said.
“It has been my honour and privilege to paint Karl. It pushed me in my artistic practice to a place I was not sure I could hold at times, but it also held my resolve until the final brushstroke.
“It’s titled Built This Way after his beautiful song, and it’s a visual permission to be a man who is sensitive, romantic, and compelled by artistry.”
The portrait shows Karl in deep darkness, a single light source highlighting his face, his hands resting on the head of his handmade guitar.
After two years of development and multiple failed attempts, David spent seven months creating the final piece. Through tenebrism, he isolated Karl from any context, imbuing him with profound dignity and drama. David subtly contrasts Karl’s eyes—one gentle in light, the other intense in shadow—to reflect the dichotomy of his nature.
David joins two other Sunshine Coast finalists including Maleny’s Peter Hudson, who submitted a portrait of friend and poet, Nathan Shepherdson. Megan Robinson’s self-portrait, using reclaimed copper wire, is also in the running for the $50,000 top prize.
BPP Chair Anna Reynolds said all finalists showcased “an outstanding mix of styles, creative approaches, and experience levels.”