A portrait by a Charles Sturt University (CSU) student has been selected to hang in the popular art exhibition, Salon Des Refusés 2014, the alternative to the Archibald Prize selection.

Tony Curran from the School of Communication and Creative Industries at CSU in Wagga Wagga, is one of 33 artists to feature in the S.H. Ervin Gallery exhibition on Sydney's Observatory Hill.

The portraits are selected by a S.H. Ervin Gallery panel from the 830 paintings rejected by the Archibald Prize judges at the Art Gallery of NSW.

 Mr Curran said, "In 2014, 33 works were selected to be hung in the Salon Des Refusés, including my Dr Doris McIlwain (Ouroboric #2)".  

"Itis a portrait of Dr Doris McIlwain, an Associate Professor of Psychology at Macquarie University who specialises in the philosophy of psychoanalysis and personality psychology.  

"The painting was produced from life in an unconventional sitting where psychologist Dr McIlwain was analysing me while I was studying her towards a series of paintings."

Dr Doris McIlwain was painted as part of Mr Curran's PhD which investigates the place of portraiture in contemporary art.  

"The acceptance of my painting into a national exhibition is an important indication that my research is addressing relevant concerns in the art world at the level of portraiture and contemporary art more broadly," he said.

In addition to undertaking a PhD, Mr Curran also lectures in art history and media arts at the School of Communication and Creative Arts. Read more about the CSU student in CSU News here.

The Salon Des Refuses 2014 opened on Saturday 19 July and runs until Sunday 14 September.