Born in New York in 2000, Indivi moved to Sydney in 2016. One of her first Australian road trips was out bush to visit her family-owned sheep and cattle property near Bundarra.

"A long tradition of connecting to my great grandfather began here, and somehow I was touched deeply by this place that is woven through our family culture."

Indivi had fond memories of her mother telling stories of the time she spent on the farm as a child. Looking for a subject for her HSC project, Indivi decided to use the farm as inspiration.

"Barry who the portrait is of, has been working on the farm through generations. The portrait aims to capture the energy of the farm and his fundamental role in its evolution," she said.

As an open competition, the Waverley Art Prize allows artists to choose any subject matter to enter. Indivi chose to enter her portrait of Barry into the art prize because she thought he best embodied her stylistics as a painter in the way she liked to use colour and tonal value.

"I feel it is important to have a relationship with whatever subject matter you choose to best portray who you are as an artist. Through Barry being a core individual in the farm and my attachment to it, I felt the painting was the best piece to enter."

Portraying the essence of a "true blue" Aussie, Indivi hoped she painted Barry in a way that represented his earnest self as a man of no ego.

"Barry is the kind of human that embodies the spirit of our great country; tough, honest, matter of fact, hard-working and funny with a huge heart."

The young artist said she felt excited and privileged to be named a finalist amongst so many others who entered.

In her first year of studying a Bachelor of Visual Arts and Advanced Studies majoring in Visual Arts at Sydney University, Indivi has many future ambitions.

"My goals are to embrace the learning opportunities of university and the wide world it opens doors to. I am not sure how my art practice will progress, but I entertain the idea of curating in a major museum.

"I just love how the world of art is all about opening your mind to history and being able to explore old and new ideas to give people the opportunity of experience."