^{Homeless Man Outside David Jones, 2011
Compressed charcoal and pastel on paper. Temporary installation of the finished portrait at Market Street, Sydney, the original site of portrait-transaction
185 x 155 cm}

<sup>Archive of my winning artwork for the 2011 Black Swan Portrait Prize.
I used to see this homeless guy seated near my art studio. I’d pass him every day, and eventually built a rapport with him after occasional acts of charity. At one point I bought him some Hungry Jacks takeaway and got to hear his story. I wanted to document his story of tragedy and resilience, proceeding with a work that involved a drawing, and a video recording of our conversation. Upon completion, I wanted to show Jaimie the finished work, but noticed that he was no longer sitting or begging at his usual spot. I never saw him again.

To honour or commemorate this person whom I drew and I met, I decided to head back to where he was seated and temporary hang the completed drawing, a sort of desire to honour or to re-establish the presence of this person who use to sit at that exact same place. A sort of metaphor of portraiture to seek to capture and commemorate the presence and spirit of the person depicted.</sup>


_{https://thewest.com.au/entertainment/art/winning-artist-captures-life-on-fringe-ng-ya-150060
https://www.lesterprize.com/gallery-the-lester-prize-for-portraiture/the-lester-prize-for-portraiture/2015-2-5/winners-2/}