Congratulations to Lori Pensini for being selected as a Finalist in The Salon Des Refuse 2022. Artist statement: The bogong moth portrait is a response to our impact on the state of our natural systems and emphasises the acute ecological disequilibrium brought about by our environmental mismanagement. An over-cleared landscape backdrops the plight of the moth and other species dependent on its continuance. They cling to my solitary form like a moth to a flame, the very thing that threatens existence is their only salvation and dually asks the viewer to consider their own role in environmental regeneration. The Salon des Refusés is the S.H. Ervin Gallery’s ‘alternative’ selection from works entered into the annual Archibald and Wynne Prizes. The Salon des Refusés was initiated by the S.H. Ervin Gallery in 1992 in response to the large number of works entered into the Archibald Prize which were not selected for display in the official exhibition. The Archibald Prize is one of Australia’s most high profile and respected awards which attracts hundreds of entries each year and the S.H. Ervin Gallery’s ‘alternative’ selection has become a much anticipated feature of the Sydney scene. Each year our panel is invited to go behind the scenes of the judging process for the annual Archibald Prize for portraiture and Wynne Prize for landscape painting and figure sculpture at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, to select an exhibition from the many hundreds of works entered in both prizes but not chosen for the official award exhibition. The Salon des Refusés exhibition at the S.H. Ervin Gallery has established an excellent reputation that rivals the selections in the ‘official’ exhibition, with works selected for quality, diversity, humour and experimentation, and which examine contemporary art practices, different approaches to portraiture and responses to the landscape. The Holding Redlich People’s Choice Award is valued at $3000. https://www.nationaltrust.org.au/event/2022-salon-des-refuses-the-alternative-archibald-wynne-prize-selection/