This year’s RACT Insurance Tasmanian Portraiture Prize exhibition made its final stop at the Launceston gallery, showcasing the work of 35 emerging artists.

A recent nominee for the prestigious National Photographic Portrait Prize, Launceston’s Liam James, said portraits had remained a fascination for artists for a reason. 

‘‘I think portraiture is one of these really important mediums that won’t ever die out, the stagnant portrait and the idea of the sitter,’’ James said. 

‘‘When we’re faced with an artwork and we can engage so personally and be moved so easily by a work, it’s just a really easy way to be engaged.’’

James’ self-portrait, exhibited at Sawtooth, was made in response to the idea that the portrait’s sitter cannot fully understand the work they’re portrayed in.

‘‘There’s something of themselves they give away when they’re photographed, and so I wanted to turn that idea onto myself and offer up an artwork for the viewers that I could never really fully understand,’’ he said.

His sister Rhiannon James was exhibiting her portrait of a woman wearing a hijab, inspired by the Real Australians Say Welcome campaign.

Sawtooth artist run initiative director Patrick Sutczak said he was delighted to host the prize.

IN THE FRAME

WHAT: RACT Insurance Tasmanian Portraiture Prize 2015.

WHEN: Official opening on Friday, December 27, at 6.30pm.

WHERE: Sawtooth ARI Gallery, Level 2, 160 Cimitiere St, Launceston.

THE lure of the portrait lives on at Sawtooth’s latest exhibition, with Tasmanian talent on display