ARIA award-winning pianist, and classical expert on The Piano, Andrea Lam features in the ABC’s television series, Portrait Artist of the Year (Season 2) in episode 5, alongside Young Australian of the Year, Nedd Brockmann, and comedian Josh Thomas.
Hosted by award winning actor Miranda Tapsell (The Sapphires, Top End Wedding) and beloved comedian Luke McGregor (Rosehaven, The Weekly) this show celebrates one of the most accessible and provocative forms of art: the portrait.
In each episode, nine artists, from emerging talents to established professionals, have just four hours to create a portrait of a well-known celebrity, competing for the ultimate prize: a life-changing commission to hang in the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra, Australia. Their work is then judged by three esteemed Australian art experts: Director of the National Portrait Gallery of Australia, Bree Pickering; award winning, multi-disciplinary artist, Abdul Abdullah; and Associate Professor of Art History at the Australian National University (ANU), Robert Wellington.
This episode brings nine new artists to Portrait Artist of the Year to compete for one spot in the semi-final. The sitters, Nedd Brockmann, Andrea Lam and Josh Thomas chat with the artists, throughout the paint sharing stories, ideas, and personal experiences.
As the conversations deepen, the artists gradually produce portraits that capture more than just physical appearances; the artworks reflect the personalities, emotions and individuality of the sitters.
Watch the series on iView here: iview.abc.net.au/show/portrait-artist-of-the-year