Portrait Artist of the Year returns to ABC with a new season of celebrity sitters
AACTA Award-winning series Portrait Artist of the Year will return to ABC TV on Sunday 16 August, with all episodes also available to stream on ABC iview.
Hosted by Miranda Tapsell and Luke McGregor, the eight-part series sees 54 artists compete by creating portraits of some of Australia’s best-known personalities while working against the clock in front of a live audience.
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Contestants have four hours to complete their work before it is judged by art experts Abdul Abdullah, Bree Pickering and Robert Wellington.
Across six heats, artists ranging from emerging talent to established professionals are tasked with painting one of three Australian sitters drawn from music, comedy, television, food and lifestyle.
Among those sitting for portraits this season are Matt Preston, Dannii Minogue, John Safran, Kate Langbroek, Katherine Bennell-Pegg, Troy Cassar-Daley, Carrie Bickmore, Marc Fennell, Ellie Cole, Casey Donovan, Lisa McCune, Dave Hughes, Nedd Brockmann, Andrea Lam, Josh Thomas, Baker Boy, Jenny Kee, Peter Rowsthorn, Marcia Hines and Kirk Pengilly.
Each portrait is revealed to its subject at the end of the challenge, with the series capturing their reactions as they view the finished artwork.
The winning artist will receive a commission to paint Justine Clarke, with the completed portrait set to be displayed at the National Portrait Gallery of Australia.
According to the ABC, the series highlights the ability of portraiture to connect people through art. The program won the 2025 AACTA Award for Best Entertainment Program.
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Season one of Portrait Artist of the Year is available to stream now on ABC iview.
Production is by Endemol Shine Australia, part of Banijay Entertainment, for the ABC. David McDonald is Executive Producer, Danielle Vos is Series Producer, Polly Anna Arde is Post Executive Producer, Jo Siddiqui is Director, Kath Earle is ABC Head of Arts, Music and Events, and Rachel Robinson is ABC Commissioning Editor.
Portrait Artist of the Year premieres on Sunday 16 August at 7.30pm on ABC TV, with all episodes available to stream on ABC iview.
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