Morgan BellThe Archibald Prize 2009
May 11th 2009 16:20
I was moving in March so I forgot to report on the 2009 Arichibald Prize.
The winning artist was Guy Maestri with his portrait of blind Aboriginal singer Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu. The work beat 708 entries and 39 finalists to take the $50,000 prize.
Maestri, 34, said he saw Yunupingu play live on New Year's Eve and knew immediately he wanted to paint him for the prize. Maestri met Yunupingu for a 40 minute sketching session at Sydney airport and finished the painting in his Chippendale studio. Maestri has said he was aiming to capture the presence of Yunupingu: quiet and strong.
Regarding the win Yunupingu said in a written statement:
"I want you to know I haven't won any of this money so please don't ring me for a loan."
Here are a few other famous faces as subjects in Archibald Prize entries:
Vincent Fantauzzo entered a portrait of Heath Ledger last year.
My personal favourite is this portrait of Brian Sherman by Adam Chang entitled "Spirit of an Ancient Culture". Sherman is a Jewish philanthropist, business mogul and founder of animal rights organisation Voiceless.
The winning artist was Guy Maestri with his portrait of blind Aboriginal singer Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu. The work beat 708 entries and 39 finalists to take the $50,000 prize.
Maestri, 34, said he saw Yunupingu play live on New Year's Eve and knew immediately he wanted to paint him for the prize. Maestri met Yunupingu for a 40 minute sketching session at Sydney airport and finished the painting in his Chippendale studio. Maestri has said he was aiming to capture the presence of Yunupingu: quiet and strong.
Regarding the win Yunupingu said in a written statement:
"I want you to know I haven't won any of this money so please don't ring me for a loan."
Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu by Guy Maestri
Here are a few other famous faces as subjects in Archibald Prize entries:
Waiting for the Day by Megan Roodenrys
Jimmy Barnes – there but for the grace of God no. 2 by Ben Quilty
Richard Clapton by Alexander McKenzie
Flacco's chariot by Paul Jackson
Brandon by Vincent Fantauzzo
Vincent Fantauzzo entered a portrait of Heath Ledger last year.
John Safran by Yvette Coppersmith
My personal favourite is this portrait of Brian Sherman by Adam Chang entitled "Spirit of an Ancient Culture". Sherman is a Jewish philanthropist, business mogul and founder of animal rights organisation Voiceless.
Spirit of an Ancient Culture by Adam Chang
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Comment by Jason King
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I have a full sized print of the Heath Ledger one from last year - just love it.
Never got to see the rest - thanks for the private viewing
Comment by Morgan Bell
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the Brandon painting is beautiful, it could easily be mistaken for a photograph, Vincent Fantauzzo is a very very talented artist, the Heath Ledger triptych from last year was a stunning tribute, i would love a print of that!
i should really get back into visiting more galleries now that im in the land of the living, it was one of the few things i made an effort to do in Tazzy but there was nowhere near the variety of exhibits that Sydney has
Comment by Janet Collins
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Some of these, as always, were excellent. I couldn't however, understand how the Brandon portrait didn't win in any category. It was my favourite.
Comment by Jason King
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Comment by Morgan Bell
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i know the Archibald Prize is often criticised for being "populist" as it is judged by people who are not art experts and it often seems that political choices are made
Yunupingu had recently received alot of media attention by winning ARIA awards for his music, you never know how much of the selection process in done with the aim of promoting the exhibition
although all that being said i can personally see why Yunupingu was chosen over Brandon, i do think the Yunupingu portrait conveys more emotion and i feel it is the more captivating of the two, the one you linger over for longer wondering about the significance of the shadows and wondering about a life of blindness
to me Brandon looks a bit like a movie still, very artfully done, but a little superficial
Comment by Morgan Bell
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maybe i should get one!
i didnt realise they were that cheap . . . i will go check it out . . . thanks for the heads up, Jason
Comment by Norm
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Comment by Morgan Bell
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excellent, thats what i like to hear
complete agreement
i have taught you well