Combining her ethereal soprano with a masterful technique, Katie Noonan has been hailed as one of the greatest Australian vocalists of all time. A singer-songwriter, she performs across folk, jazz, rock, opera and choral music, and has five ARIA Awards, 29 albums and seven platinum records to her name. Her other credits include music director of the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, and artistic director of the Australian Vocal Ensemble (AVÉ), which she founded in 2021.

‘I first heard Katie sing on Play School when my daughter was young and I was instantly captivated by her exquisite voice. I have followed her ever since,’ says Jessica Ashton.

‘My goal is to paint women who not only excel in their fields but also contribute to their communities. Katie embodies both. In approaching this portrait, I aimed to capture Katie’s warmth and generosity, qualities I encountered when I met her. I used a pink light filter to reflect her kind nature, while the complementary green wall creates a dramatic background.’