Jacqui Grantford

Jaq Grantford (born 1967), also known as Jacqui Grantford, is an Australian artist and writer, known for her portraiture and illustrations of children's books.

Early life and education Jaq Grantford, also known as Jacqui, was born in Melbourne, Australia, in 1967.

Career Art

Grantford's portraits include Noni Hazlehurst, Jacki Weaver, Paul Mercurio, Jonathon Welch, physician Catherine Crock, Lior, Ed Le Brocq, and composers Elena Kats-Chernin, and Nigel Westlake.

She has also many painted many self-portraits, including a series in which she places herself in famous paintings by other artists, such as Rembrandt, J. M. W. Turner, Gustave Courbet, René Magritte, and Andy Warhol. A True Person, written by Gabian Marin was one of the 250 outstanding new international books for children and young adults that have been selected for The White Ravens 2008. This book, along with Squeezy Cuddle Dangly Legs written by Peter Whitfield, and Molly's Memory Jar by Norma Spalding have been listed as recommended books in the Family Therapist Awards.

Recognition and awards 2013: People's Choice, Black Swan Prize for Portraiture, for a portrait of Jacki Weaver 2013: Portrait of Jacki Weaver in the Archibald Prize Salon des Refusés 2022: Winner Darling Portrait Prize at the National Portrait Gallery of Australia, for a self-portrait called 2020

Exhibitions Grantford held several solo exhibitions at the Dromkeen Museum of Children's Literature between 2004 and 2010. In 2007, some of her work was displayed in international exhibitions of children's book illustration in Portugal and Slovakia. Molly's Memory Jar, Norma Spalding, New Frontier, 2010 Thank You Wishes, Kate Wilson, JoJo Publishing, 2009 A True Person, Marrian Gabbin, New Frontier, 2007 Squeezy Cuddle Dangly Legs, Peter Whitfield, New Frontier, 2007 Pemberthy Bear, Sally Murphy, New Frontier, 2005 Wishes For One more Day, Melanie Joy Pastor, Flashlight Press, 2005