Brisbane's answer to the Archibald Prize has survived despite a year that has devastated the arts industry, although the toll of the pandemic remains squarely in frame.
From a pool of almost 700 entries, 71 artworks have been selected for the Brisbane Portrait Prize.
Many finalists, including Brisbane artist Pat Hoffie, have drawn inspiration from the health crisis.
"The irony for me was having a portrait competition in a time where people are covering up," Ms Hoffie said.
Her self-portrait captures a hospital reunion with her daughter, who tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this year.
The painting, entitled PPE, depicts the artist donned in a surgical mask, gown and safety glasses.
"[My daughter] had been stuck in that hospital for six weeks and I wasn't allowed to see her — I had actually been quarantined myself for two weeks," Ms Hoffie said.
"Finally they gave me the OK to see her, so it was just one of those moments when there's both relief and there's also reticence about the future."
The exhibition also features well-known faces, including former governor-general Quentin Bryce, pop duo The Veronicas, philanthropist Tim Fairfax and Olympic swimmer Leisel Jones.
The winner, to be announced next Tuesday, will walk away with a $50,000 prize.
Shortlisting judge Claire Sourgnes admitted it had been "touch-and-go" as to whether the competition would continue this year.
"It's been a really devastating time … people aren't seeing artwork, artists aren't being offered opportunities and that audience engagement just hasn't been there in the same way," she said.
Ms Sourgnes said the impact of COVID-19 on the arts industry made it more important than ever to showcase local talent.
"The mere fact that 700 people submitted work shows the depth and breadth of creative practice in our region which is really fabulous," she said.
"During the pandemic, whilst people were working from home or at home not working, a lot of people turned to that primal act of making.
"Creativity helped us get through the everyday."
Ms Hoffie said it was encouraging to see crowds return to art shows.
"It says a lot about artists and art supporters that they do keep forging ahead on little and almost always nothing," she said.
The portrait prize exhibition opened at the Brisbane Powerhouse yesterday and will be on show until November.
