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,[1] was born in Melbourne, Australia, in 1967.[2]
Career
Art
Portrait of pianist and composer Tony Gould by GrantfordPortrait of Jacki Weaver by Grantford
Her portrait of transgender radio presenter and musician Ed Le Brocq, in which he is (at his request) portrayed as a centaur, called I Am a Centaur, was selected as a 2024 Archibald Prize finalist.[3]
In addition to working as a portrait artist and fine artist, Grantford has been publishing books since 2002.[4]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.[5] 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.[6]
She has been involved in the Melbourne-based charity Hush Foundation, which uses the arts to improve young patients' lives in hospitals,[3] founded by physician Catherine Crock.[10]
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.[2]
Her work was selected for Women Painting Women, an exhibition of portraits held at the Burrinja Cultural Centre in Upwey in Melbourne in 2016 and 2021, and in 2021 she was included in a women's art exhibition at the European Museum of Modern Art in Barcelona, Spain.[2]
