Poker Face

Poker Face is an appropriation of Lady Gaga’s hit song ‘Poker Face’ and Kenny Rogers hit song ‘The Gambler’. Poker Face is a portrait of Brand’s close friends Sina and Courtney, who are seated together on the ground playing Poker. One figure appears immersed in the game whilst the other stares passively out at the viewer. Poker Face is intended to portray the unknown aspect or “gamble” of life; the waiting phase between the past and the present. A moment of uncertainty that if shared with a friend can make the waiting period less daunting.

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Alanah Ellen Brand (she/her) (b. 1991, Australia) is a contemporary portrait painter working on Dja Dja Wurrung country (Bendigo, Victoria). Brand obtained her Masters in Visual Art (2019) from Latrobe University Bendigo. Brand has been a finalist in the Archibald Prize, Kennedy Prize, the 12th Prospect Portrait Prize, The Bluethumb Art Prize, The Tatiara Art Prize, The Percivals and a Semi-Finalist in The Doug Moran National Portrait Prize. Brand has attended Art schools/workshops with renowned painters David Kassan, Shana Levenson, Robin Eley, Jessica Le Clec and Solomon Kammer who became Brand’s mentor and the subject of her 2023 Archibald Prize entry.