Previous Percivals
The Percivals is North Queensland’s own biennial portrait competition.
Having begun in 2007, The Percivals is an open competition for artists. While showcasing the outstanding and innovative work being produced by Australian artists, the competition has also given many emerging artists, Australia-wide and internationally, an opportunity to engage with portraiture and share their expressions of themselves and those close to them.
The Percivals 2018
In 2018,Townsville City Galleries received more than 370 entries for the painting and photographic prizes, offering us snapshots from all walks of live. Every portrait tells a different story - whether it's about the personal triumph of our everyday heroes, or a rare glimpse at that makes our idols tick.
Image: The Percivals 2018 Catalogue
Left: Anne-Marie Zanetti, The Taste of a Memory [detail] 2018, oil on canvas, 76 x 60 cm
Right: Matthew Gianoulis, Galaxy of Stars [detail] 2018, digital archival print, 178.5 x 127.5 cm
The Percivals 2018 Award Winners
Percival Portrait Painting PrizeJenny Rodgerson Oil on linen, 180 x 150 cm Acquired into the City of Townsville Art Collection | ![]() |
Percival Photographic Portrait PrizeKellie Leczinska Inkjet print on archival rag platine, 125 x 93 cm Acquired into the City of Townsville Art Collection | ![]() |
Percivals People’s Choice Award- PaintingLaurie Smoker Acrylic paint and watercolour pencil,180 x 135 cm | ![]() |
Percivals People’s Choice Award- PhotographyMatthew Gianoulis Digital archival print, 178.5 x 127.5 cm | ![]() |
Percival Animal Portrait PrizeElissa Sampson Graphite and charcoal, 40 x 30 cm | ![]() |
The Percivals 2016
Townsville's sustained interest in portraiture is reflective of the genre's enduring popularity around the world. A portrait provides us with not only a physical likeness but also a window in the sitter's life, into their mind and their soul. The voyeur in each of us delights at the opportunity to peek through these windows time and again.
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Image: The Percivals 2016 Catalogue
Left: Brett Canet-Gibson, The Life of Riley [detail] 2014, digital photographic print, 90 x 60 cm
Right: Tessa McOnie, Untitled [detail] 2016, oil on canvas, 150 x 200 cm
The Percivals 2016 Award Winners
Glencore Percival Portrait Painting PrizeLisa Adams Oil on canvas, 47 x 70 cm Acquired into the City of Townsville Art Collection | ![]() |
DUO Magazine Percival Photographic Portrait PrizeBrett Canet-Gibson Digital photographic print, 90 x 60 cm Acquired into the City of Townsville Art Collection | ![]() |
Townsville 150th Anniversary Portrait Painting PrizeBarbara Cheshire Oil on canvas, 153 x 102 cm | ![]() |
Townsville 150th Anniversary Photographic Portrait PrizeChrissy Maguire Archival fine art paper – photo rag, 21 x 29 cm | ![]() |
Townsville City Council People’s Choice Award - PhotographyRosana Kersh Photographic print, 120 x 80 cm | ![]() |
Glencore Percivals People’s Choice Award- PaintingTess McOnie Oil on canvas, 150 x 200 cm | ![]() |
Percival Animal Portrait PrizeHelen Caldwell Watercolour on Waterford 300gsm paper, 54 x 44 cm | ![]() |
The Percivals 2014
Consistently evolving, The Percivals has now become one of the nation's richest portrait prizes. To meet this billing, the exhibition has further evolved in a number of significant ways in 2014; among them the pre-selection of works by a panel of industry figures, and the production of this beautiful catalogue of selected works.
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Image: The Percivals 2014 Catalogue
Left: Joshua Miels, The Perfectionist [detail], oil on canvas, 160 x 130 cm
Right: Roderick McNicol, The Late Blossoming of Jack Charles [detail], archival digital print, 80 x 65 cm
The Percivals 2014 Award Winners
Glencore Percival Portrait Painting PrizeFrank Giacco Oil on canvas, 198 x 200 cm Acquired into the City of Townsville Art Collection | ![]() |
DUO Magazine Percival Photographic Portrait PrizeRoderick McNicol Archival digital print, 80 x 65 cm Acquired into the City of Townsville Art Collection | ![]() |
Townsville City Council People’s Choice AwardRosana Kersh Photographic paper, 100 x 70 cm | ![]() |
Telstra Stores Townsville People’s Choice AwardsRob Douma Acrylic, 100 x 150 cm | ![]() |
Percival Animal Portrait PrizeJenny Hyatt Scratcher board and intense pencil, 30 x 38 cm | ![]() |