Blacktown artist Nick Stathopoulos wins Archibald Prize People’s Choice Award for portrait of Deng Adut

IN a double win for the community, Blacktown artist Nick Stathopoulos has won the Archibald Prize People’s Choice award for his portrait of former Sudanese child soldier and fellow Blacktown resident Deng Adut.

Deng Adut with his portrait and Blacktown artist Nick Stathopoulos at the Art Gallery of NSW. Picture. Brett Costello

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IN a double win for the community, Blacktown artist Nick Stathopoulos has won the Archibald Prize People’s Choice award for his portrait of former Sudanese child soldier and fellow Blacktown resident Deng Adut.

The oil on linen painting of the refugee is Stathopoulos’ fifth finalist entry into the Archibald but the first time he has claimed the $3500 People’s Choice Award.

Stathopoulos said he took more than four months to complete the portrait — more time than he has ever spent on any painting.

“I’m actually a very traditional practitioner by choice. I’ve spent my entire life developing my style and process. What I do is time-consuming, laborious and painstaking,’’ he said.

“I don’t think we give the general public enough credit when it comes to matters of art. In my experience they are very clued-in. And when it comes to the Archibald Prize People’s Choice Award, they seem to get it right every year.

“The critics may balk, but the public always manages to pick my favourite paintings. So I’m delighted they chose my portrait of Deng Adut. It’s a great affirmation.’’

Adut fetched Stathopoulos’ attention through a video promotion for Western Sydney University, where Adut was a graduate.

Deng Adut and Nick Stathopoulos with the portrait.

He was a childhood soldier in Sudan but after he fled the country, put himself through law school and became a refugee advocate and community leader.

Adut said he’s humbled that the Australian public chose the work to win the People’s Choice Award for 2016.

“It must be some sort of magic, but Nick really captured what’s underneath my skin in his painting.

“It can be hard for me to look at — not least because my nose looks so big!’’

Lalor Park artist Sarah Key’s portrait of wheelchair-bound former rugby league player Alex McKinnon was also exhibited in the the Archibald Prize.

The portrait is also a semi finalist in the Doug Moran Art Prize.