A formidable woman
Robert Shakespeare
- Sitter: Suzanne Brooks
- Medium: Photograph
- Dimensions: 85cm x 100cm
- Representation: This artist represents themselves
About the artwork
In this no-nonsense portrait, Suzanne Brooks stares hard and fast, directly out of the frame. A true creative in her own right, she trained as a teacher, before deciding to study law at 48. Over 30 years later, she is still practising as a barrister. And she is also the artist’s aunt.
“She’s always been an inspiration to me. She’s an extraordinary woman, very kind, and she believes anything is possible. She encourages everyone to go for whatever it is they want.”
A familiar sight at art openings around Brisbane, Suzanne Brooks is also an accomplished seamstress, and an avid art collector.
“She learnt to sew from watching her mother, and now can make anything, super quickly, without even a pattern. She is very skilled.”
In this portrait, Robert Shakespeare wanted to express her kindness, and also her determination. “She is a real fighter. She never gives up, and I love that about her.”
Suzanne Brooks was admitted as a barrister in 1995, and specialised in education law. She has served as a member of the Children’s Commission Tribunal, and the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
In Robert Shakespeare’s “less is more” approach, the close up pose lends the portrait a simple directness. The flamboyant glasses and the chain around her neck are clues to her personality, but it is her eyes and facial expression that are compelling.
Suzanne Brookes was painted for the 2019 Brisbane Portrait Prize by David Hayes.
About the artist
Robert Shakespeare has been working as a freelance photographer for the last 20 years. His work has been published in many newspapers and magazines in Australia and overseas. He loves architecture, has published two books on the great Spanish architect, Antoni Gaudi.
