Since £400 was awarded to the winning entry in 1921, the annual Archibald Prize has become one of Australia’s most prestigious cultural gongs.
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Ahead of Friday’s announcement that Fiona Lowry had won this year’s coveted prize with a haunting, photograph-like portrait of architect Penelope Seidler, it was confirmed that the Archibald exhibition would return to Maitland in January 2015.
The size of this coup should not be underestimated.
To again have this iconic exhibition in Maitland Regional Art Gallery will be to the delight of local art lovers.
It is also an opportunity for the region’s young artists to be inspired by a collection of world-class artworks.
The Archibald’s popularity has crossed from high-brow spheres into popular culture, and each year brings people through the doors of Sydney’s Art Gallery of NSW who might not normally visit an art exhibition.
This is due, in part, to the number of famous faces who pose for artworks in the portrait prize.
This year’s exhibition featured sports stars like Adam Goodes, Anna Meares, Torah Bright and Fui Fui Moi Moi depicted alongside actress Cate Blanchett, and musicians Nick Cave, Dan Sultan and Missy Higgins.
Even Barry Humphries’ alter-ego Sir Les Patterson made an appearance.
As it has in Sydney, the arrival of the Archibald at MRAG should bring people through the door for the first time.
The fact that MRAG was chosen over other Hunter galleries, including Newcastle, is testament to the ongoing passionate work of its curators, staff and volunteers.
The Archibald Prize last visited Maitland in March 2010. If you missed it then, next year’s return is a chance to marvel at one of the country’s most prestigious art prizes in your own backyard.