Artist Statement

Edward has always been drawn to portraiture because it’s the expressions people portray that intrigues him. After Edward painted his grandfather, he knew there was more to painting someone than capturing their exact likeness. I’m less concerned with exact likeness and more focused on expressively capturing someone. I trust my instincts when a painting feels right, even if it’s not 100% accurate.

I am confident with capturing photographs of people, serving as a memory of how they expressed themselves. I can never completely understand why they choose to pose the way they do, but it’s this uncertainty that fuels my desire to paint who they are.

I find that the process of taking photographs and turning these into paintings, offers a deeper, layered understanding of them, beyond what’s possible in a simple conversation. I start to learn more about their body language, expressions, gestures and feelings.

Edward Jack Humphrey is an alumnus of the renowned National Art School, holding a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts, and has furthered his expertise with a Certificate IV in Arts and Cultural Administration from TAFE NSW. His notable achievements include being selected for the prestigious 2018 Salon des Refusés, becoming a finalist in the 2020 Archibald Portrait Prize, and earning recognition in the 2021 Bluethumb Art Prize.