Jaq Grantford is an ARC Associate Living Artist (Arc Renewal Centre) based in Australia and specialises in fine art and portraiture. She has participated in numerous exhibitions, winning many awards, most recently winning the People's Choice in the Archibald, the Darling Portrait Prize with the National Portrait Gallery of Australia and the Kennedy Art Prize.
Her work is held in the MEAM Musem (European Museum of Modern art), the National Portrait Gallery of Australia, the National Gallery of Victoria and many other collections.
Since she was a child, Jaq has been passionate about portraying the human form, and that love has persisted throughout her life. To capture the essence of a person is one of her greatest joys. She loves to tell the stories through visual imagery: the influences, the environment, the cultural background, the joys and heartbreaks, and so much more.
The details and tiny flaws are the most exciting parts of any subject. It’s what makes us different but also united in our imperfection. Jaq tries to paint without judgement the true essence of what is around her and see the beauty inherent in people and place.
(She also loves cats.)