How to win the Archibald Portrait Prize
Dear lovely person reading this now,
I need YOUR help today. Yes, you. The one with the dreamy eyes reading this…(here’s a clue: we might change a small part of history together).
Here’s why. The Archibald prize is the most famous art award in the Australian art world. But it’s ways are mysterious. Like a furious tempest that dances to its own tune, who wins the Archibald prize and how they win is a maze surrounded by a labyrinth within a giant puzzle. Or is it?
Today I embark on a 2 month journey (with my long time collaborator, fellow artist Grant Burrow) to find out how to win the Archibald Portrait Prize. With each tick of the watch face (or sundial if that’s your thing) YOU and I are a moment closer to June 26.
But why is it such a mystery? With so many choices to make (think style, subject, colours, size, medium and approach) it’s daunting, which is why I need your help.
Over coming days you’re going to help me decide each step of the way (like a fly on the wall or HG Wells’ invisible man) the sort of painting I will create and why.
But to start, let’s take a closer look at the interesting history of the Archibald Prize.
The award started in 1921 for the best portrait ‘...preferentially of some man or woman distinguished in art, letters, science or politics, painted by any artist resident in Australasia during the 12 months preceding...' and quickly became coveted by artists not only for the money but the exposure it could bring. In its early years the winners were characterised by realistic portraits in brown tones of prominent social figures. All very staid and predictable of course, until William Dobell in 1943 won by painting a caricature of fellow artist Joshua Smith - a rebellious departure.
Through the controversy William defended himself by explaining he was ‘trying to create something, instead of copying something’.
That might have been an epoch as artists continued to push conventional boundaries right to this day where expression of the subject’s ‘inner self’ is foremost.
But why why does it pickpocket the key to the public’s imagination each year? Famous people or controversy maybe. But maybe you have a different idea?
In the next few days YOU and I have some choices to make together. In the meantime I have a small favour. I would be so grateful it you shared this link your most loved friends, family, Prime Minister / President or billionaire moguls. You can also stay in the loop of my adventure by subscribing to my Newsletter below.
Next I’ll talk to you about the 6 choices we have to make. Stay tuned.
