Keith Burt Bridie Gillman

Bridie Gillman is a multidisciplinary artist based in Brisbane. She and Keith Burt became friends while attending regular art openings and gallery functions.

‘As fellow painters with different styles, we always enjoy discussions about painting and art,’ says Burt. ‘We have talked about doing a portrait for quite a while, but we finally got together in my studio in February 2022.

‘The portrait went through several phases, starting with a vibrant underpainting referencing the colours in Bridie’s own work. As it progressed, the tones became more subdued and the composition more simplified, highlighting the rhythm of the figure and bentwood chair.’

While his recent exhibition work has focused on still life, and he is currently exploring sculpture, Burt regularly paints portraits. This is his fourth time in the Archibald Prize.