Portrait Artist, Paul Newton has works in the permanent collection of The National Portrait Gallery of Australia and is an official portrait artist for Parliament House,Canberra. He has painted former Prime Ministers, former Australian Head of State, Governor General Sir William Deane as well as other dignitaries and celebrities both at home and abroad. He has recently completed portraits of The President of Columbia University in New York City, Dr George Rupp and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Columbia University, Mr Stephen Friedman.
Paul has been a regular finalist in the prestigious Sydney portrait competition the Archibald Prize, with portraits of such notables as Maggie Tabberer, John Laws, Fred Street and Kate Fischer. His 2001 entry, a portrait of Olympic Games commentators Roy and HG, won the Packers Prize as well as The People’s Choice Awards in both Melbourne and Sydney. His portrait of Father Brian Byron was a finalist in the American Society of Portrait Artists’ 2001 International Portrait Competition, at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, and his portrait of Rugby legend David Campese won First Place in the 2002 Portrait Society of America’s International Portrait Competition, in Philadelphia, USA.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
1979 – Graduated from Marist Brother’s High School, Eastwood.
1982 – Completed Bachelor of Science Degree at The University of Sydney.
1987 – Awarded Credit Diploma of Art from the Julian Ashton Art School, Sydney.
1985 – Group Exhibition: Young Artists of Sydney, Sydney Town Hall.
1991 – Exhibition of oil paintings and prints at the National Interior Design Association (NIDA) Sydney Show – including a painting commissioned by the NIDA committee.
1994 – Judging Panel for the AXIS Awards (Auckland, New Zealand).
1995 – Salon des Refuses Exhibition – John Doyle Portrait.
1996 – Archibald Prize Exhibition – John Laws Portrait – Winner of the Packers’ Prize.
1997 – Archibald Prize Exhibition – Kate Fischer Portrait.
1998 – Judging Panel for Australian Writers and Art Directors Association AWARD awards.
1998 – Selected by The Australia Council for inclusion on Official Artists Register for the Historic Memorials Committee, Parliament House, Canberra.
1999 – Archibald Prize Exhibition – Maggie Tabberer Portrait.
1999 – Salon des Refuses Exhibition – Bryce Courtenay Portrait.
2000 – Sporting Portrait Prize Exhibition – David Campese Portrait.
2000 – Salon des Refuses Exhibition – Fr Brian Byron Portrait.
2001 – David Campese no. 2 portrait acquired by National Portrait Gallery, Canberra.
2001 – Winner of the Sydney People’s Choice Award and the Packers’ Prize in the 2001 Archibald Prize Exhibition – Roy and HG Portrait.
2001 – Finalist in the American Society of Portrait Artists 2001 International Portrait Competition – Father Byron Portrait – The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.
2002 – Winner of the Melbourne People’s Choice Award in the 2001/2002 Archibald Prize Exhibition in Melbourne – Roy and HG portrait.
2002 – First Place Winner in The Portrait Society of America’s 2002 International Portrait Competition, Philadelphia, USA – David Campese portrait
Judge for The Hills Grammar School 2002 Art Award.
2002 – Finalist and People’s Choice winner in The Shirley Hannan National Portrait Prize Exhibition – Bega Valley Regional Gallery – Portrait of Lilly Ainsworth.
2002 – Archibald Prize Exhibition – Portrait of Fred Street AM.
2002 – Riverview College Art Show – Guest Speaker
2003 – Imelda Roche AO, portrait commissioned by the National Portrait Gallery, Canberra.
2003 – Judge for 2003 Shirley Hannan Portrait Prize competition, Bega Valley Regional Gallery.
2003 – First Place Winner in The Portrait Society of America’s 2003 International Portrait Competition, Washington D.C. – Jonathan Bell portrait.