Cameron Dimopoulos Limbo

Cameron Dimopoulos’s painting is a self-portrait, which he has used ‘to explore, document and understand the world we now live in, post-COVID, having emerged from mandatory lockdowns and self-isolation’.

Dimopoulos is a first-generation Australian with Greek heritage. ‘In Greek culture, the number three is associated with harmony, wisdom and understanding. I have juxtaposed that magic number with the feeling of being neither here nor there; directionless and in limbo, searching for answers,’ he says.

A first-time Archibald finalist, Dimopoulos runs a creative agency in Sydney.

One of his biggest influences when it comes to figurative and portrait painting is French artist Claire Tabouret. ‘I find her bold use of bright colours and purposeful yet simple brushstrokes inspiring. This influence can be seen in the slight suggestion of bright pink peeking through the background,’ he says.

‘I only ever use one or two brushes for each painting. For this work, I used two, both the same size: an old one to leave distinct brush marks and a new one for the detail. The painting originally had far more detail, especially in the knitted jumper, but I reduced that to guide the viewers’ focus to my expressions and gestures.’