Karyn Zamel My self

Karyn Zamel has been painting portraits and studying faces for many years. Around three years ago, she began a journey to intensely study her own face.

‘I found this process confronting, as I was seated less than a metre from the mirror. It was a close-up look at myself, which led me to reflect upon my past, my present and my future. In this self-portrait I chose to paint myself with my apron, which is my work uniform,’ says Zamel.

Born in Wellington, New Zealand, Zamel migrated to Sydney with her family as a child. She began painting 27 years ago and is largely self-taught. She was a finalist in the 2016 Portia Geach Memorial Award, and a finalist in last year’s Archibald Prize with a portrait of artist Marina Finlay.