2012 ARCHIBALD PRIZE

WINNER OF THE 2012 ARCHIBALD PRIZE PACKING ROOM PRIZE

Raelene won the 2012 Archibald Prize Packing Room Prize for her portrait of Actor John Wood titled -
'A Strength of Character'.
http://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/prizes/archibald/2012/29210/
http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2012/s3454647.htm
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-03-15/raelene-sharp-wins-packing-room-prize/3892784
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John and Raelene in front of her portrait at the Gallery of New South Wales Archibald Exhibition
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John Wood and Raelene at press conference for the announcement of the Archibald Prize Packers Prize
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Raelene & Gary at Opening Night
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Opening Night at Tarrawarra Museum of Art in the Yarra Valley
Twins Surgeons Painted as Heroes/Herald/Sun Feb 2010.

SHIRLEY HANNAN NATIONAL PORTRAIT PRIZE

WINNER OF THE 2006 SHIRLEY HANNAN PORTRAIT PRIZE​
Raelene has been a finalist in the prestigious Shirley Hannan National Portrait Prize for six consecutive exhibitions. 2006 was her year taking out first prize in a field of 35 finalists. The Opening Night was a great success with well over 150 guests who travelled from all over Australia to view the exhibition.
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A Woman's Lot - Self Portrait
Shirley Hannan was an exceptional woman. In her younger days she was and Australian Diving Champion, an Australian Squash Champion, and in her later years shone as a note-worthy portrait artist, working primarily in pastel. After several years of financing The John Balmain Portrait Prize, it was changed to her namesake and in 2005 she announced the prize money from 2006 onwards was to jump to an amazing $30,000. In mid December 2006, she passed away, Brian (Shirley’s husband), and her family have set up a trust to ensure the prize, celebrating realist portraiture, shall continue for future generations, thus maintaining a platform which recognizes talented artists practicing traditional methods of painting.