The prize was initiated by former Family Court Judge and Olympic rower, the Honourable Paul Guest QC and encourages artists from across Australia to engage with the important medium of drawing and to create challenging and unique works of art.

This year’s judge, renowned artist Godwin Bradbeer, had the unenviable task of selecting the finalists from a field of more than 200.

After an arduous time making tough decisions, 45 artists were announced as the finalists for 2016.

The finalists included: Kim Anderson, Justin Andrews, Mark Boey, Melissa Boughey, Anthony Breslin, Adam Cusack, Mark Dober, Shay Downer, Craig Easton, Esther Erlich, David Fairbairn, Simon Finn, Prudence Flint, Louise Forthun, Belinda Fox, Todd Fuller, Tarli Glover, Erika Gofton, Peter Grziwotz, Robbie Harmsworth, Pei Pei He, Euan Heng, Christine Hooper, Baby Guerrilla, Locust Jones, Martin King, Bruno Leti, Lily Mae Martin, Catherine O’Donnell, Christopher Orchard, Becc Ország, Dan Price, Claire Primrose, Lyn Raymer, Anna Louise Richardson, Colin Rowe, Kathryn Ryan, Andrew Seward, Andrew Southall, Adriane Strampp, Peter Thomas, Chloe Vallance, Brooke Walker, Paul White and Xiaoping Zhou.

The winner was announced at the launch event.

Melbourne-based artist Peter Grziwotz was selected as this year’s winner.

Godwin made comment: “From a most impressive and varied field of exquisite drawings by artists of accomplishment both young and older, the Paul Guest Drawing Prize for 2016 is being awarded to Peter Grziwotz for the work Study as St Jerome for a self-portrait.

“This work manifests a high level of visual acuity but more significantly it is a work where the technique does not interfere with empathy for the subject.

“The drawing is intense with poignant, compassionate and enigmatic feeling.”

We congratulate all artists on the achievement of being selected as finalists, and in particular to Peter on his win.

To coincide with the prize, a selection of works from Paul Guest’s private collection is also on display at the Bendigo Art Gallery.

This display represents a small highlight of works from Paul’s expansive collection that focuses on the notion of line.

Line is arguably the most basic element of art.

Given Paul’s appreciation of drawing – an inherently linear practice – these works have been chosen based on the premise that each artist utilises the line in vastly different ways; creating an interesting and dynamic selection of works.

Visit the Paul Guest Prize and Paul Guest Collection at Bendigo Art Gallery.

The gallery is open from 10am-5pm, Tuesday to Sunday.

Entry by donation. On display until October 16, 2016.