The Percivals 2026

About the Artwork

This portrait is an ode to the solitary nature of painting. When I’m working towards a series or exhibition, it’s not uncommon for me to close myself off from the world. It’s not desirable or totally intentional; it just seems to work out that way. When I was starting out, those long periods of time were often a difficult and lonely experience, and admittedly not great for my mental health. But over time, I’ve begun to enjoy my own company and to appreciate the focus and isolation required of me for painting. This portrait was painted over two days in my studio, peering over my right shoulder into a mirror, accompanied by a constant soundtrack of music and podcasts.

About the Artist

Specialising in oils and working across still life, portraiture, figurative, and landscape painting, Liam paints from life, en plein air, and from his studio at Lennox St Studios in Newtown, Sydney. Before taking up painting in 2019, Liam enjoyed a successful career in theatre as an actor. With no formal tertiary art training, he is largely self-taught, channelling his love of theatre, storytelling, and character into his portraiture and figurative work.

Liam has won the Lester Prize (2019), the Brisbane Portrait Prize’s Packers Award (2022, 2023), and the Paddington Art Prize Becker Minty Award (2025). He has also been a finalist in the Doug Moran National Portrait Prize, the Salon des Refusés, the Darling Portrait Prize, the Dobell Drawing Prize, and the Mosman Prize, among many others.