For a portrait to have power, said Mansfield, the relationship between the artists and the sitter is important.

“I really admire what Ronni Kahn does, her values and what she stands for and the way she helps in such a humble way,” the Sydney artist said while delivering her portrait of Kahn, painted in yellow hues.

Loading

In a nod to Sydney’s recent hosting of WorldPride, a giant purple portrait of a giant of the gay scene and chair of Qtopia, the museum dedicated to the LGBTQIA+ community, David Polson, was painted by Bellingen artist Alun Rhys Jones.

Polson was one of the first 400 Australian men to be diagnosed with HIV/AIDs in Australia in 1984, told he would likely die but is still alive and advocating today.

British chef Hestor Blumenthal was painted larger than life by Queensland artist Anthony Bennett, Australian chef and LGBTQIA+ advocate Kylie Kwong was painted by Catherine McGuinness and 1996 Archibald winner Wendy Sharpe was painted by Victoria Atkinson.

Both McGuinness and Atkinson are from Studio A, a Sydney-based arts company that provides professional development for artists with intellectual disabilities, which last year had four entries chosen as finalists.

Others, such as first-time entrant Joel Matheson, came from afar, driving overnight from Brisbane to deliver his portrait of his psychologist Dr Michael John.

“He has really supported me in my creative journey, so I wanted to honour him,” Matheson said.

Finalists will be announced in the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman prizes on April 27. The winners will be named on May 5.

The Booklist is a weekly newsletter for book lovers from books editor Jason Steger. Get it delivered every Friday.