New Zealand Academy of Fine ArtsCongratulations to Jessica Gurnsey, who is the third regional winner in The Stuff Art Aotearoa Gold Award 2025, a nationwide series recognising artistic excellence presented by Art Shows Across Aotearoa with the Academy of Fine Arts.
Jessica is an exceptionally talented young artist. Her work has already been recognised - including being the youngest artist to ever win the prestigious Adam Portraiture Award in 2022. Her works tend to depict people in places, almost a snapshot in time, with beautifully executed detail in her chosen medium of acrylics on canvas, seen in her winning work: ‘Ticket to Womanhood’.
Jessica says of herself and her work, “I am an acrylic on canvas painter based in Wellington, New Zealand. My work has been recognised with national-level awards since the age of 17, including being the youngest ever recipient of the prestigious Adam Portraiture Award in 2022.”
“I love to depict people in the places I meet them, almost a snapshot in time. With such great detail that I can step back from a painting and recognise their expressions, the specific way their hair falls, the creases by their eyes, and the textures in the pavement they stand on. I love imperfections painted perfectly, because these are what make us human, and the details around us often inform the building of our sense of self.”
Jessica’s previous awards:
National Youth Art Award 2021- Overall prize
National Youth Art Award 2021 - 15-19 years first prize
National Youth Art Award 2022 - 15-19 years first prize
Adam Portraiture Award 2022 - 1st place winner
