2007 Archibald Winner
"It's not one of my best," was John Beard's comment on being declared winner of the 2007 Archibald Prize with a portrait of old friend and fellow artist Janet Laurence.
Be that as it may, the picture is powerful, introspective, subtle and - unlike many in the genre - you can imagine hanging it on your wall and not going crazy with boredom or, alternatively, being spooked by it.
While the big one has been awarded and the packers' gave their prize (to Danelle Bergstrom's almost comically boofy Take Two: Jack Thompson), it's now time for us - the public - to get voting. So get on down to the Domain and pick up your voting leaflet.
There is surely something for all tastes in this Archibald - which might have led to the already expressed view that it's a weak field. Some aren't as strong as others but there's no weakness in any of these:
Bill Leak's Portrait of Paul is pure emotional power; Chris O'Doherty's Self portrait with high pants is as deceptive and interesting as Reg Mombassa ever is; Paul Ryan's Fink on the phone is as painterly and truthful as any portrait should be; Peter Hudson's Words and Music - Portrait of Paul Kelly is possibly the most dynamic picture in the show; Daniel Henderson's Lily-Rose would be hard put to fulfil the requirement of distinguished Australian but it's a sensational picture; last but not least, Jenny Sages' tender yet unsentimental Irina Baronova (handing on the baton) is evidence of why the artist is shortlisted virtually every year and must surely win it before long.
The Wynne Prize field is typically strong and the winner is ravishing: Philip Wolfhagen's Winter Nocturne IV is brooding, melancholy, exhilarating and very Wolfhagen. Buying his work is difficult enough anyway, so unspeedy is his delivery and output, now it will be all but impossible.
The Sulman Prize for genre work was judged by Hossein Valamanesh (himself an Archibald subject) this year and his choice is witty: David Disher's Axis of Elvis. In a disturbingly empty souk-like setting somewhere in the middle east, the artist has chosen to re-enact the notorious meeting between President Richard Nixon and the King when the crook gave the druggie a special medal for his anti-drugs work.
The Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes at the Art Gallery of NSW to May 13, then select touring show to Myer Mural Hall, Melbourne, May 18-July 1; Manning Regional Gallery, July 6-August 12; Grafton Regional Gallery, August 16-September 23; Bega Regional Gallery, September 28-November 3; Orange Regional Gallery, November 9-December 16; Broken Hill Regional Gallery, December 21-February 3, 2008.
