The People’s Choice winner of the Wyndham Art Prize has been announced as Hoppers Crossing resident Michelle Ripari.
Ripari said she was “incredibly shocked” to receive the news.
“It has been a very difficult past couple of years, not only due to Covid but in my personal life,” she said.
“Unfortunately my art has been at a standstill, but knowing that people appreciate my work has really encouraged me to pick up those pencils again.”
The winning artwork, titled ‘Solitary’ was created using coloured pencils on paper, which Ripari says is her favourite medium.
“It has been my most challenging artwork to date, both as a self-portrait and the largest size (A0) I have completed to date,” she said.
“I worked on it throughout one of the lockdowns and focused inwardly on myself and my own journey.
“I felt that the solitary path I am taking in my life, and the struggles and burdens I battle is one that is similar to the difficulties that every other person is also facing.
“We cannot assume what another person is going through, so we should therefore show more compassion and empathy towards each other.”
Ripari says she enjoys making highly detailed artworks, which can be a little difficult as a perfectionist.
“I’ve found that focusing on the details of subjects helps me to be appreciative of the beauty that can be found in everything, and being patient with every step of the process,” she said.
“My artworks usually take many hours, so when I feel my patience is wearing thin I make sure to take a break and come back refreshed.”
