Kerrie Lester Rebel

Rebel Penfold-Russell is a filmmaker, businesswoman and arts patron. A graduate of NIDA, she also studied at the London International Film School and New York Film School before returning to Australia to establish Latent Image Productions. Her many credits include executive producer of the award-winning Australian feature films Frauds, starring Phil Collins, and The adventures of Priscilla, queen of the desert.

‘Rebel Penfold-Russell, true to her name, is one of those people who simply cannot talk without using her hands,’ says Kerrie Lester. ‘This of course is part and parcel of her can-do, will-do personality and any artistic depiction had to incorporate her animated hand gestures. She is also a woman who never stops, so the use of a traditional Russian Matryoshka doll with its many layers was an ideal symbol of her never-ending energy for the arts and business. Matryoshka translates to “mother” and Rebel is justifiably proud of her two sons who she so often refers to as her best productions. The champagne glass toasts her wine family heritage and her bon vivant approach to life. I decided to paint Rebel for the Archibald Prize whilst seated opposite her at an annual Capricorns’ birthday party. Hands and champagne were flying everywhere.’

Born in Sydney in 1953, Lester studied at the National Art School and the Alexander Mackie College. She has had annual solo exhibitions since 1976 and has been part of numerous group shows including the Archibald Prize on 14 previous occasions, the Portia Geach Memorial Portraiture Prize six times, the Doug Moran Portrait Prize, and the Sulman and Wynne Prizes.