Artist Biography
1950 – 2020
Since the 1980s, Annette Bezor has been one of Australia’s foremost painters. In her current work, she takes images of women from classical painting, contemporary decorative art and popular culture and recreates them as stylised icons to reveal and subvert the power and impact of the originals.
In challenging viewers to meet the newly focussed gaze of these women, Bezor exposes the nature of society’s attitudes to women and how they are represented in art and popular culture. She then situates these iconic figures in a surrealistic space to emphasise the roles, identities and emotional states of women generally. Annette Bezor artworks are renowned for the empowering messages behind the art and beautiful style that each piece delivers.
Annette Bezor artworks can be categorised as postmodern by virtue of her appropriation of imagery and reconsideration of past art. But these strategies are intended to address the representation of women and women’s sexuality as much as the nature or history of art itself. And while the painting techniques she uses question the nature of painting as an art form, they are primarily used to create powerful metaphors. She has adapted painting in unique ways to suit her purpose and, over her career, has confirmed and extended the role of the independent woman artist and has participated in the debate over art history. Bezor has made a significant impact on the idea and nature of painting in contemporary art.
Berkeley Editions are proud to have Annette Bezor artworks for sale. Browse our collection of Annette Bezor limited editions above, or find out more about the iconic artist here.
2010 Arts SA Fellowship
2009 Finalist, The Sir John Sulman Prize, AGNSW, Sydney
2005 Finalist, The Archibald Prize, AGNSW, Sydney
2004 Finalist, The Archibald Prize, AGNSW, Sydney
2002 Finalist, The Sir John Sulman Prize, AGNSW, Sydney
1999 Inaugural SALA Monograph recipient
1999 Finalist, The Portia Geach Memorial Award, S.H. Ervin, Sydney
1994 Finalist, John McCaughey Memorial Art Prize, NGV, Melbourne
1993 Finalist, The Portia Geach Memorial Award, S.H. Ervin, Sydney
1992 First Prize, Sara Weis Award, Heidi Museum of Modern Art, VIC
1992 Finalist, The Sir John Sulman Prize, AGNSW, Sydney
1990Australia Council Fellowship
1983 Finalist, John McCaughey Memorial Art Prize, NGV, Melbourne
1981Finalist, John McCaughey Memorial Art Prize, NGV, Melbourne
1980 Co-winner, Maude Vizard Wholohan Art Prize, Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide
1977 John Christie Wright Memorial Prize for Life Drawing and Painting