Judges Statement: ““The Beauty of Now” has depicted an elderly lady clad in her resort wear, glowing as she basks in the sunlight. She is living her best life through optimism and youthful wonder whilst challenging ageist stereotypes. The painting explores the gap between expectation and truth, the trials of aging in a hectic modern world. Her tired appearance might reflect the reality behind a holiday in the tropics—sometimes they’re not as relaxing as they seem. Despite her exhaustion, she is not missing out! Her presence among the lively environment indicates that she is still relishing in the experience, perhaps finding joy or solace in a moment to rest her legs.

The artist has juxtaposed realistic portraiture and abstract elements to create a thought provoking and dynamic composition. The large-scale portrait is set against a backdrop of flat vibrant colours and geometric shapes, highlighting the emotional and thematic narrative of an old duck in paradise!