Maleny artist named finalist in Brisbane Portrait Prize

Maleny artist and musician Peter Hudson has been named among the finalists in the 2025 Brisbane Portrait Prize, with his compelling work Poet, in green shirt selected from more than 650 entries.

Mr Hudson’s portrait, created in a single live sitting, captures acclaimed Australian poet Nathan Shepherdson in a spontaneous, mixed-media piece that the artist says “seemed to have quickly arrived and under its own steam.”

“It’s easier for me to look at than the first portrait I did of Nathan,” Mr Hudson said. “It’s a reminder of how mercurial art and life can be.”

A long-time friend of the sitter, Mr Hudson said this latest work managed to “trap something of Nathan’s character that the first painting missed.”

Mr Hudson has previously been an Archibald finalist and is represented by Mitchell Fine Art in Brisbane. His work is held in numerous private and public collections across Australia.

The Brisbane Portrait Prize exhibition opens to the public on September 20 at the State Library of Queensland, following the announcement of winners on September 19.

• For more information and a full list of finalists, visit www.brisbaneportraitprize.org.

Mr Hudson’s portrait, created in a single live sitting, captures acclaimed Australian poet Nathan Shepherdson.