Australia’s most prestigious art competition, the Archibald Prize, is set to call The Maitland Regional Art Gallery home for the next two weeks.
The exhibition arrived in Maitland last Saturday, January 22, and will remain in the city until Sunday March 6, 2022.
Gallery Director Gerry Bobsien said the institution is looking forward to another eventful summer in 2022, and said staff are “very excited to bring the Archibald Prize back to Maitland Regional Art Gallery in its historic 100th year.”
“The exhibition is an opportunity to see all 52 finalists in the 2021 Archibald Prize, including the winning portrait by Peter Wegner of artist Guy Warren AM still working in his studio at 100 years.”
“The Archibald is one of the country’s oldest and most famous art competitions that captures the imagination of the nation time and time again – for it to be back with us here in Maitland is a thrill.”
The Archibald Prize was conceived in 1921 by former Art Gallery trustee Jules François Archibald, and has been successful in fostering portraiture, supporting artists and preserving the vision of notable Australians.
The prize recently celebrated 100 years as the nation’s oldest and most iconic portraiture prize and since its establishment has featured Australia’s cultural icons including celebrities, politicians, athletes and artists.
Among this year’s portraits are Grace Tame, sexual violence advocate and the current Australian of the Year, six-time Walkley Award–winner and influential ABC broadcaster Kerry O’Brien, and Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC QC, the sitting Governor of NSW.
Other notable subjects include actor and SAS Australia star Firass Dirani, and former Socceroo’s captain and refugee activist Craig Foster AM.
Artist Peter Wegner’s portrait of former Archibald winning artist, Guy Warren at age 100, took home this years prize however.
Warren was a renowned artist who won the Archibald himself in 1985 , with this years submission the seventh time he has been an Archibald subject.
Maitland Mayor Philip Penfold is looking forward to the famous exhibition visiting the Hunter Valley, saying ‘it’s great to have one of the Archibald Prize right here in Maitland and so accessible to the community, both to our people here in Maitland and the wider Newcastle and Hunter Valley.
Cr Penfold thanked staff for their efforts in bringing the prize to Maitland, calling it a “big win” for the city.
The last time the Archibald visited Maitland was in 2014, attracting “thousands of visitors” over its five-week display, Maitland City Council said.
The new all-ages exhibition offers something for visitors young and old, with children’s labels, a youth trail to guide young visitors and an activity sheet with ideas for creating own portraits at home.
Entry to the exhibition is by ticket only, which can be purchased online.
Maia O’Connor
Information source: Maitland City Council