Annette Bezor facts for kids

Annette Bezor (born Annette Bateman; 5 April 1950 – 9 January 2020) was a talented Australian painter. She lived and worked in Adelaide, South Australia. Annette was known for her unique way of painting women. She often took famous images of women from old paintings or pop culture and gave them a new, modern twist in her art. Her paintings were very popular and received great praise.

Annette Bezor held 30 solo art shows during her career. Her artwork was displayed across Australia, and also in places like Europe, Hong Kong, and the USA. She was also a finalist in many important Australian art awards, including the Archibald Prize, the Doug Moran Portrait Prize, the Sir John Sulman Prize, and the Portia Geach Memorial Award.

Early Life and Art Journey

Annette Bezor was born on 5 April 1950 in Adelaide, South Australia. She was the second child in her family. After her parents separated, she changed her last name to Bezor, which came from her mother's side of the family. She left school early at age 14. During her teenage years, she faced some health challenges.

In 1974, Annette started studying art at the South Australian School of Art. She graduated in 1977 with a degree in fine art. She later shared that she felt she did her best painting at home, outside the formal art school setting. In the mid-1970s, the Women's Art Movement was very active in South Australia. Annette found this movement inspiring and empowering.

A Creative Career Takes Off

In the early 1980s, Annette Bezor's painting called The Snake is Dead became very famous. Her art was shown in big cities like Adelaide, Sydney, Hobart, and Melbourne during the 1980s. She received a special award from the Australia Council that allowed her to live and paint in Paris, France, at the Cité internationale des arts. She went there in 1987. While in Paris, she painted Romance is in the Air. Her art agent, Paul Greenaway, said this time was a "turning point" for her. It was then that she really developed her special style. She would take pictures of women from other artworks and change them in her own paintings to tell new stories.

After returning from Paris, Annette's career continued to grow. She achieved great success with her art. In the 1990s, her work was shown in Adelaide, Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne. In the 2000s, her art traveled even further, being exhibited in Hong Kong, Spain, Taipei, and New York. In 1994, the Parliament of Victoria asked her to paint the official portrait of Joan Kirner, who was a former leader of the state of Victoria.

Later Years and Legacy

Annette Bezor faced some health challenges starting in 2017. Even so, she continued to paint and also cared for her mother until her mother passed away in 2019. Her last art shows were Ricochet, at the Hill Smith Gallery in Adelaide, and Ricochet 2, a show looking back at her work, at Aptos Cruz Gallery in Stirling. Both exhibitions took place in October 2019.

Annette Bezor passed away on 9 January 2020. Her art continues to inspire many people.

Where to See Her Art

Annette Bezor's paintings are held in several important art galleries:

• The Art Gallery of South Australia has six of her artworks. This includes Jackie and Jude (Version ii), which is often on display to honor her work.
• The Art Gallery of New South Wales owns two of her paintings: Pigs and Rosie as Eve.
• The National Gallery of Victoria holds three of her works, including The Snake is Dead.

Awards and Recognition

Annette Bezor's work was chosen as a finalist in many major art competitions. She also won three smaller awards.

• Archibald Prize, finalist in 2004 and 2005 (in 2005 for her self-portrait Still posing after all this time)
• Sir John Sulman Prize, finalist in 1992, 2002, and 2009
• Portia Geach Memorial Award, finalist in 1993 and 1999
• John McCaughey Memorial Art Prize, finalist in 1981, 1983, and 1994
• Sara Weis Award, first prize in 1992
• Maude Vizard Wholohan Art Prize, co-winner
• John Christie Wright Memorial Prize for Life Drawing and Painting, winner in 1977

Fellowships

• 2010 Arts SA Fellowship
• 1990 Australia Council Fellowship