'Pressure' is a finalist in the Manning Gallery's Naked & Nude art prize.

Dagmar's painting 'Pressure' is a finalist in this year's Naked & nude art prize. The biennial Naked & Nude Art Prize commenced in 1990 with entries open to Australian artists. The theme ‘Naked & Nude’ is an evocative platform for creative inspiration, and artists delve into representations of the human form. With a history dating back to ancient times across many cultures, the exposed human figure is one the most enduring themes in the visual arts and remains relevant to artists across all disciplines. Naked & Nude refers to two things: firstly, the great tradition of the Nude: a person who is bare, with no covering or decoration. Secondly, a wider definition: something that is revealed, laid bare, unmasked or vulnerable.

Dagmar's artist's statement for Pressure is below:

As I get older I have the ability to look back and see the pressure on staying young and beautiful. The images we see on television and the constant bombardment of images. The couple on the television are Abdul and Amrita, locked in an embrace. I recently painted them for the Archibald and they represented vitality and the beginning of a life together. I wanted the voluptuous woman in her 40s to be reflecting on her life and the pressure of being beautiful and vibrant. The view in the background is the grass to a yard, alluding to the “grass is always greener”.