AustLit
History
'The Archibald Prize is awarded annually to the best portrait, 'preferentially of some man or woman distinguished in art, letters, science or politics, painted by any artist resident in Australasia’.
'This open competition is judged by the trustees of the Art Gallery of NSW. Finalists are displayed in an exhibition at the Gallery (although in the early years all entrants were hung). Although it is a non-acquisitive prize, several of the entries are now part of the Gallery’s collection.
'The Archibald Prize was first awarded in 1921. In establishing the prize, JF Archibald’s aim was to foster portraiture as well as support artists and perpetuate the memory of great Australians. Over the years some of Australia’s most prominent artists have entered and the subjects have been equally celebrated in their fields.' (Source: Archibald Prize website)
Notes
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The Archibald Prize is one of Australia's oldest and most prestigious art awards. J. F. Archibald's primary aims were to foster portraiture, support artists and perpetuate the memory of great Australians. Since its inception in 1921 the prize has been awarded to some of Australia's most important artists, including George Lambert, William Dobell and Brett Whiteley.
(Source: Art Gallery of New South Wales.)
Latest Winners / Recipients
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Year: 2020
Stand Strong for Who You Are Vincent Namatjira , 2020 single work art work -
Year: 2019
winner (People's Choice) Tjuparntarri – Women's Business David Darcy , 2019 single work art work'Daisy Tjuparntarri Ward is a respected elder of the Warakurna community and Ngaanyatjarra people of Western Australia. She is a cultural and community liaison officer for regional schools, a director on the NPYWomen’s Council, an advocate against domestic violence, a qualified translator, artist and sought-after storyteller.
'‘Last year Tjuparntarri walked into my studio looking for art supplies. Over several weeks, we got to know each other and I discovered I’d met an extraordinary woman,’ says David Darcy.
'‘Super-Tjupa, as she is referred to by friends, has a remarkable connection to country and traditional culture, yet this “born-in-the-bush, modern woman” possesses a wonderful ability to navigate Western society with intellect, charm and good humour.’
'The paintwork on Tjupa’s chest is a traditional design from women’s songs that she is entitled to perform. The red oxide that covers her face and torso is today purchased at the hardware store and is commonly used in place of the traditional red ochre.' (Art Gallery of New South Wales website)
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Year: 2017
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Year: 2016
winner Barry Louise Hearman , 2016 single work art work -
Year: 2015
winner Judo House Pt 6 (The White Bird) Nigel Milsom , 2015 single work art work
Works About this Award
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Offering a Prize Can Be Art for Art’s Sake 2021 single work column
— Appears in: The Weekend Australian , 19 June 2021; (p. 8)'The Archibald is an adventure in conjecture for an audience looking for the definition of the real thing.' (Introduction)
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Picture Imperfect 2021 single work column
— Appears in: The Weekend Australian , 12 June 2021; (p. 6)As the Archibald Prize turns 100, Hollywood star Rachel Griffiths explores the art award’s colourful – and racially controversial – past, writes ROSEMARY NEILL
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The Paintbrush Is a Weapon 2021 single work column
— Appears in: The Monthly , February no. 174 2021; (p. 50-52) 'Vincent Namatjira, the young Arrernte artist who calls the tiny South Australian Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara community of Indulkana home, wanted to win the Archibald Prize for almost as long as he’s identified as an artist. Many Australian artists young and old want the same: one thing that marks the Archibald – at $100,000 no longer the country’s richest painting prize, but undoubtedly the one that carries the broadest recognition – is the wide range of painters, well known or not, who throw their hat in the ring each year. But Namatjira’s desire to join the ranks of previous winners, who include William Dobell, Brett Whiteley, Nigel Milsom and Louise Hearman, was about far more than youthful ambition. In 1956, the prize had gone to William Dargie, a once-famous mid-century portraitist of prime ministers and royalty, for his oil painting of Namatjira’s great-grandfather Albert Namatjira. Albert was a painter too, of course – for a brief time in the 1950s, he was arguably the most famous in the country – and the opportunity for a Namatjira to shift from passive subject to winning artist seemed to Vincent Namatjira too perfect to pass up.' (Introduction) -
Portrait of Behrouz Boochani by Angus McDonald Wins Archibald People's Choice Award 2020 single work column
— Appears in: ABC News [Online] , December 2020; -
Archibald Prize Won by Vincent Namatjira with Self Portrait Alongside Adam Goodes 2020 single work column
— Appears in: ABC News [Online] , September 2020;'It's fourth time lucky for Vincent Namatjira, great-grandson of acclaimed artist Albert Namatjira, who has become the first Indigenous Australian to win the $100,000 Archibald Prize in its 99-year history.'
