Local Mambo artist and art teacher, Michael Bell, has been announced as the winner of Newcastle’s prestigious Kilgour Prize. Bell’s enchanting double self-portrait saw him selected from an entry pool of more than 350 artists as the recipient of the $50,000 art prize, announced on Friday July 31^st.

Judges were impressed by the intricate composition of Bell’s work, Starting The after party (Two self-portraits) 2020, which depicts the artist standing in front of his 2019 piece The after party, which was a finalist for the Kilgour Prize 2019.

Newcastle Art Gallery Director, Lauretta Morton, said Bell’s reception of the award is a wonderful acknowledgement of a much-loved and highly respected local artist,

“Michael Bell’s career spans over 30 years. A teacher at the Newcastle Art School, Bell has been included as a finalist in exhibitions such as The Archibald Prize, The Sulman Prize and the KILGOUR PRIZE. Bell has also designed for iconic Australian brands such as Triple J and surf label Mambo Australia,” Ms. Morton said.

The Kilgour Prize 2020 exhibition showcases the 30 finalists and is on display at Newcastle Art Gallery from 1 August to 15 November 2020.