Portrait of former Lismore resident and Socceroo named as Archibald finalist

A portrait of former Socceroo Craig Foster, with his eyes closed as he recovers and imagines a better country for its citizens and refugees, by Sydney-based artist Julian Meagher, has been named a finalist in the 2021 Archibald Prize.

ARCHIBALD FINALIST: A portrait by Julian Meagher of former Lismore soccer player, Socceroo and now human rights advocate, Craig Foster, has been named as a 2021 Archibald Prize finalist.

An artist determined to keep painting and submitting portraits of former Lismore Socceroo Craig Foster until he wins, was named a finalist in the Archibald Prize.

On Thursday, the Art Gallery of NSW selected a portrait by Sydney-based artist Julian Meagher, 37, entitled ‘Fozzy’, as a finalist for the country’s most prestigious portrait prize.

It is one of 52 portraits selected from 938 entries.

Mr Meagher said his portrait, which is oil on linen and measures 56.5cm x 46cm, was the second time he had painted the retired Socceroo who now works to advance human rights and to help refugees.

Mr Foster said he hoped the portrait which shows his eyes closed would help draw attention to the human rights suffering on own doorstep.

“Australia has our eyes closed to harm and suffering,” he said.

“Let us open our eyes, see the truth, and find a better way.”

Mr Foster said ignoring human and refugee rights was an abominable way to behave,

“We are causing innocent refugees, to the true beginnings of our country, First Nations incarceration and deaths in custody, to rising racism, to our responsibility as a global citizen, to climate impacts and the urgency of response, to human rights,” he said.

“Julian is a big supporter of human rights and refugee advocacy.

“He said ‘I’d love to get you into the Archibald to get you a platform through the sorts as an avenue to speak to corporate Australia.”

Mr Foster said Mr Meagher told him, “I don't care if this takes us 10 years.”

“Julian painted me last year but it did not make the finals and rather than him move on artistically and find someone more a flavour of the moment as a subject, he kept at it,” he said.

“I said let’s do it and over the past 12 months we became close friends.

“We are both delighted it only took years, we might have been sick of each other in five.”

Mr Foster said Mr Meagher choose to paint him with his eyes closed to represent Mr Foster relaxing and recovering from his arduous human rights and refugee advocacy, his need to shield his children from the trauma he faces and witnesses others suffering, as well as representing the “great Australian silence over the birth of modern Australia.”

”We are putting up rims of steel, physical, psychological and cultural around this country and I think we should be doing the opposite,” he said.

Mr Foster thanked Mr Meagher whom he said was a “brilliant artist.”

Mr Meagher said he first met Mr Foster a few years ago through friends at Amnesty International.

“He (Mr Foster) was starting the #GameOver campaign to end offshore refugee detention,” he said.

“Everyone knows him as a sports commentator and former captain of the Socceroos; he’s also recognised for his successful effort to free Hakeem al-Araibi when the Bahraini refugee footballer was arrested in Thailand.

“Fozz told me it was during the process of securing Hakeem’s safety in Australia that he realised he couldn’t stop there.

“He’s worked tirelessly ever since as an activist for freedom and equality.”

Mr Meagher said this was the second time Mr Foster has sat before him for a portrait.

“Fozz volunteers each week around the corner from my studio, and often drops around afterwards,” he said.

“I decided I was going to keep painting him until a portrait was hung in the Archibald, as a kind of reflection of his own repeat efforts.

“Fozz is a fighter, though he is incredibly soft and caring as well.

“That’s why I painted him with his eyes closed and his guard down, even like this, he’s still looking out for everyone.”

The Archibald winner will be announced on June 4 with the exhibition showing June 5 to September 26, 2021 at the Art Gallery of NSW.

On May 27, 2021 Kate Ceberano paid tribute to Sydney artist Kathrin Longhurst for her fierce and dignified portrait of the singer, which was named the Packing Room Prize …