Page 52 - Tropic Magazine Issue 35

TROPIC • ARTS

Australia’s
changing face

EXHIBITIONS
The historical Archie 100 is on
display at Cairns Art Gallery as
part of its exclusive tour to just
1 nine Australian venues.

Archie 100: A Century of the Archibald Prize A year from becoming the first and only “Archie 100 is an enthralling exploration of
An Art Gallery of New South Wales touring exhibition. Queensland venue to host the historic some of the key moments in the evolution
1. Tempe Manning Archibald Prize, Cairns Art Gallery has of the prize, from 1921 to today, and an
Self-portrait 1939 welcomed another major coup – the opportunity to reflect on our shared
Oil on canvas, 76 x 60.5 cm
Art Gallery of New South Wales, acquired with landmark Archie 100: A Century of the history and consider how we’ve changed
the support of the Art Gallery Society of NSW 2021 Archibald Prize.
© Estate of Tempe Manning over the course of a century.”
The collection of more than 100 works Exhibition curator Natalie Wilson said
2. John Brack
Barry Humphries in the character celebrates a century of Australia’s most the collection includes works from every
of Mrs Everage 1969 recognised portraiture competition. decade of the Archibald Prize.
Oil on canvas, 94.5 x 128.2 cm, Art Gallery of New
South Wales, purchased with funds provided by Carefully selected after a global public
the Contemporary Art Purchase Grant from appeal to locate missing pieces, the works
the Visual Arts Board of the Australia Council 1975
© Helen Brack explore the award’s rich history and
reflect upon the changing face of
3. Josonia Palaitis Each portrait
The Honourable John Howard, MP 1979 our country.
Oil on linen, 186 x 186 cm
Collection of the artist Among them is the 1996 unabashed selected offers an exciting
© Josonia Palaitis self-portrait of Wendy Sharpe, one of
4. William Dargie only 10 female winners since the prize’s glimpse into a specific
Portrait of Albert Namatjira 1956 beginnings, and eight-time winner Sir moment in time
Exhibited as Mr Albert Namatjira
Oil on canvas, 102.1 x 76.4 cm William Dargie’s 1956 portrait of Albert
Queensland Art Gallery, Gallery of Modern Art Natalie Wilson
Purchased 1957 Namatjira – a year before the sitter and
© Estate of William Dargie acclaimed artist in his own right became Archie 100 Curator
Photo: QAGOMA
the first Indigenous person to be granted
Australian citizenship. “Together, these works uncover changes
Politicians, comedians, architects, in society in engaging ways, enabling
scientists, fellow artists, friends and people to experience how artistic styles
neighbours are just some common and approaches to portraiture have
subjects, with controversies and the changed over time,” Ms Wilson said.
commonplace, the triumphant and the “Visitors can expect to see and discover
thwarted equally admired. stories of renowned portraits of identities
Art Gallery of NSW Director Dr Michael from the past century, magnificent
Brand said Archie 100 and the Archibald portraits of intriguing characters whose
Prize online archive are an extraordinary names have today been forgotten,
record of the country’s changing society and works that have not been seen in
and culture. “Since its beginning, the public since first being exhibited in the
Archibald Prize has attracted entries from Archibald Prize.”
both prominent and emerging artists First awarded in 1921, the Archibald Prize
in Australia and New Zealand, and was established following a bequest from
celebrated figures from all walks of life, former Art Gallery of NSW trustee and
from famous faces to local heroes,” founder of The Bulletin magazine,
Mr Brand said. JF Archibald (1856-1919).

52 • Tropic • Issue 35