Josonia Palaitis facts for kids
Josonia Palaitis (born Josephine Mills on June 28, 1949) is a talented Australian artist. She is known for painting amazing portraits. Josonia lives in Sydney, Australia.
She has won some very important art awards. In 1994, she won the Doug Moran National Portrait Prize. This was for a portrait she painted of her father, who was also an artist named John Mills. The next year, in 1995, she won the Archibald Prize People's Choice award. This award was for her portrait of artist and cartoonist Bill Leak.
Quick facts for kids
Josonia Palaitis
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| Born | Josephine Mills  28 June 1949 Sydney |
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| Occupation | Painter |
| Website | https://jpstudio.com.au/ |
Contents
Famous Paintings and Commissions
Josonia Palaitis has painted many important people and artworks. Sometimes, a gallery or organization will ask an artist to create a specific painting. This is called a "commission."
Portraits of Leaders
In 2000, the National Portrait Gallery asked Josonia to paint a special portrait. It was the first time they commissioned a portrait of an Australian Prime Minister that included their spouse. She painted John Howard, who was the Prime Minister, and his wife Janette.
Childers Memorial Portrait
In 2002, Josonia received another important commission. She was asked to create the Childers Memorial Portrait. This painting honors fifteen young people who sadly died in a hostel fire in Childers, Queensland in 2000. It is a very meaningful artwork.
Other Notable Portraits
Josonia has painted many other well-known Australians. Her portrait of Patrick Dodson, a leader of the Yawuru people, was a finalist for the Doug Moran National Portrait Prize in 1998. This painting is now part of the National Library of Australia's collection.
Some other famous people she has painted include:
- John Howard (a politician, whose portrait was an Archibald finalist in 1980)
- James Morrison (a famous musician, Archibald finalist in 1993)
- Ray Martin (a popular television presenter, Archibald finalist in 1996)
- Cardinal Edward Clancy (a religious leader, Portia Geach Memorial Award finalist in 1998)
- Paddy McGuinness (a journalist, Portia Geach Memorial Award finalist in 2003)
- Justice Michael Kirby (a judge, Archibald Prize finalist in 2006)
