It's not what you look at but what you see.
We all see something different
Power of the Portrait
The Archibald Prize - Power of the Portrait - Online Course Open
The Archibald finalists are out - all 52 of them. First awarded in 1921 after the bequest of J F Archibald, editor of the Bulletin who died in 1919. The prize has been dogged by controversy since its inception, mostly over the interpretation of what constitutes an eligible portrait painting.
The styles and methods of the artists are so radically different it is hard to understand why one portrait would be chosen over another. Clearly the judges have a very tough job considering the 816 portraits they have to review.
I studied the finalists one year and decided selection was driven by how famous the sitter and how dramatic the hook of the artist. Is it our fascination with celebrity that drives inclusion? The Doug Moran Portrait prize does not stipulate the sitter must be a public figure and awards $150,000 but it is the Archibald that gets the attention with it’s $100,000 prize.
What grabs you about a portrait? Have a look at the finalists - which are your top 3? Mine are:
Robert Hannaford, Hirsute self-portrait - for its raw honesty
Fiona Lowry, Glenn Murcutt - for capturing a moment of thought
Nick Stathopolous, The Man in the Red Scarf: Wayne Tunnicliffe - for it’s execution and intrigue
Although I have done portrait series and painted well known and powerful people my own contribution is very humble. Portraits have however, changed my life. I never intended to paint portraits, but in doing so I have met amazing people, raised funds for Aboriginal education with Keys to Our Country and for kids coming out of child protection through Leading Women’s Profile. These series gave me a way of making a public contribution to social issues that are important to me and I could never dreamed of doing otherwise. I am very grateful to everyone I have painted as it is such honour to connect in this intimate and unique way.
Watch this video to see the power of portraits in our lives.
I painted the wonderful singer songwriter Shadi Touloui-Wallace who lives in Canada for How to Paint a Portrait, my new online course. You can see the portrait being painted and listen to Shadi’s melodic tones - singing ‘Daughters of the Kingdom’. www.shaditolouiwallace.com
Just for fun here is Shadi’s parents who live in Australia receiving the portrait as a surprise from me.
Are you ready to to the next step in your creative journey and learn How to Paint a Portrait? My new online course has just opened and I’m thrilled by the feedback. Join us.