Artwork

Mathew

Oil on Canvas

79 x 64 cm

This is a portrait of love, but also of sorrow and pain. It is a tribute to my brother Matthew, who has faced many challenges in his life, from a learning disability to Hodgkin's Lymphoma, from a heart attack to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. He was in palliative care, relying on a special oxygen system to breathe. He was a fighter, a survivor, a hero. 

This is also a portrait of my daughters Alice and Victoria, who adored their uncle and shared a special bond with him. They have seen him struggle and suffer, but also smile and laugh. They have learned from him the value of life and the power of love. They were his angels, his joy, his hope.

This is a portrait of us, a family that has been through so much, but still stands together. We have cried many tears for Matthew, but we also celebrate his life and his spirit. We cherished every moment we had with him, every memory we made. We were inspired by his strength and resilience. 

We are grateful for his love.

Matthew passed away on the 7th April 2024 - I am honored to have had Matthew as my big brother. 

‘Matthew’ was a finalist in the 2024 Percival Portrait Prize and won the 2024 Percival Portrait Prize Peoples Choice Award.

Read about the painting of Matthew in an article published in the Canberra Times 26 April 2024.