His powerful painting which won the Gallipoli Art Prize this year contains that little bit of poison. It lures the viewer with an evocative sunset only to reveal the reminders of battle trenches and detritus scattered across the landscape.

Lopes has been painting figurative work for over twenty years starting at a time when it was decidedly unfashionable. He has been acknowledged by art critic John McDonald as ‘one of the most dedicated artists you’ll find anywhere’ and his outstanding works in his distinctive figurative style have captured the attention of art collectors and institutions alike.

He seeks to deal with the figure and the landscape together, depicting the relationship we have with our surrounds and does that in any way he can get the paint onto the surface, always looking for a way to push it further.

He has exhibited in 30 solo shows across Australia and in London and Hong Kong and his work has been hung in many more group shows. His work is held in the National Gallery of Australia, the Parliament House Collection and other public institutions and private collections.

Lopes is also known for his portraiture, recognised as a finalist in the Doug Moran Portrait Prize, Black Swan Prize the Percival Portrait Painting prize and has been selected in the Salon des Refusés exhibition several times.

To hear the podcast interview press ‘play’ under the feature photo above.

A short video of Lopes in his studio on the Talking with Painters YouTube channel can also be seen below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPFwYQtDEt4

‘Exposed Wood, Mont St Quentin’, 2018, oil on canvas, 140 x 180cm, winner of the Gallipoli Art Prize 2018, collection of the Gallipoli Club.

‘Warren Ellis’, 2018,  oil on canvas, 180 x 130cm  (finalist Percival Painting Prize 2018)

Portrait of Warren Ellis, 2017, etching, 70 x 50cm edition 20

‘Man with bird’, 2001, paper etching, 76.4 x 56.2cm, collection of the National Gallery of Australia

‘The Nek, Foxhole’, oil on canvas, 180 x 130cm

‘The Late Riser’, 2017, 120 x 130cm, oil on canvas

‘Votive Landscape and Figure’, 2017, oil on canvas, 100 x 100cm