Karyn Zamel Marina Finlay

Karyn Zamel’s subject is artist Marina Finlay, who is herself a finalist in this year’s Archibald Prize. A former actor, Finlay stopped performing in 1990 to become an artist.

‘I have been painting Marina for many years,’ says Zamel, who was selected as a finalist in the 2016 Portia Geach Memorial Award with a portrait of her.

‘I always enjoy my sessions with Marina as we connect on many levels. We share a mutual love of classical music and philosophy, and our sittings are full of trust and humour. In this portrait, I wanted to convey Marina’s integrity, directness and strength.’

Born in Wellington, New Zealand, Zamel migrated to Sydney with her family when she was 11. Primarily a self-taught artist, she began painting 30 years ago, initially in watercolour before progressing to oils.

‘My great love is portraiture and I paint on a daily basis in my home studio. I feel I could paint a single face for the rest of my life and would always find something new to observe and try to capture,’ says Zamel. This is her first time in the Archibald Prize.