When I was in Sydney last week we visited the New South Wales Art Gallery to view the finalists of the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Art Prizes. The Archibald Art Prize is Australia's favourite and most prestigious art prize. There were 884 participants and a $5000 prize.
The Archibald prize is for the best portrait.
The winner was Fiona Lowry's portrait of Penelope Seidler a well known architect. It was an unusual technique, a misty monochrome.
The Wynne prize is for the best Australian landscape or sculpture.
Michael Johnson won with this piece called 'Oceania high low.'
My favourite was Max Mannix's "Where I'd Like to be."
The Sulman Prize is for the best subject painting.
The winner was Andrew Sullivan with T-Rex. (I didn't like it at all)
But I was attracted to this one "The Archer" by Michael Peck maybe because it reminded me of my Grandson who has just discovered archery.
After our stroll around the gallery we had lunch with our daughter and SIL at the gallery cafe and then returned to their apartment overlooking the sea.
What a lovely post about beautiful paintings. You always describe things so well, Diane. I also loved the portrait in soft metallic colors and the one of the award-winning anesthetist. Your blog is always so interesting. I love it!
ReplyDeleteOh yes, I forgot they lived in a place on the North Shore with views. While I had seen the winning Archibald, I had not seen the others, so thanks for showing us.
ReplyDeleteOf course, I don't know what the criteria for the official judges' choices were, but I like your choices better! It's fun for me fo see what modern Australian artists are painting.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed looking at your photos. It's great to see some of the paintings. They are neat :)
ReplyDeleteI have been looking forward to this post. I haven't been to see the Archibald but it was interesting to see your selections. Julie posted hers some time ago.
ReplyDeleteThat winner for the Wynn prize is not to my taste at all.
some very interesting works!
ReplyDeleteI heart that you shared those art pieces with us. I too was taken by them all for different reasons and of course the view of the sea - made me sigh.
ReplyDeleteif i were choosing the winner from all these the archer would be my pick...that is a lot of entries...
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful place to explore and one which would take me hours to see all.
ReplyDeleteI like art but there is a lot I don't like because it looks weird just saying.........
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous collection of all kinds of different art work. Since I am not an 'art' person ---I don't appreciate all of the 'modern' or 'different' kind of art... I liked the same one that you liked--the portrait of Professor Kate Leslie... That is gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you had a great visit with your kids... I wish them the best on their trip.
Hugs,
Betsy
Those prizes got many beautiful entries. I have to agree with you about the painting of 'The Archer'. I think it's beautiful as well.
ReplyDeleteThe portraits were excellent. As for the landscape I think I prefer your photo.
ReplyDeleteI think the view from Carol and David's Apartment was the best.
ReplyDeleteTrue blue Aussie - the sea!
Colin
Diane, many thanks for the trip to the gallery, it was marvellous.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jo, your posts are always interesting with beautiful images!
Thank you Jo and Rose for your compliment. It does give me incentive to keep on going. Your blogs are interesting too.
ReplyDeleteThank you for allowing me to vicariously enjoy this art gallery visit. The additional iformation about the Morpheus one was very interesting.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite art was the one you liked...best pic is outside your daughters view! Beautiful
ReplyDeleteMust be a very interesting Museum !
ReplyDeleteI love the Gallery of New South Wales. David and I go their at least once or twice a month. I really enjoyed experiencing the Archibald Prize with you both. And wasn't the Young Archie good too? Some of those kids have really got skills! X
ReplyDeleteBeautiful -- it's fabulous that they allow photography and yours is amazing ... made me feel as if I were there.
ReplyDeleteThat expression 'art is in the eye of the beholder' is so true.. I think i am inclined to go along with your choices Diane.
ReplyDeleteYour favorite portrait of Professor Leslie is stunning. Those colors and the light and the whole composition are truly wonderful.
ReplyDeleteT-Rex is a little creepy.
Some very unusual artwork won, Diane! The portrait looked very ghostly and I also did not care for the T-Rex painting--kind of gruesome looking!
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