Archibald Prize: Claus Stangl paints L-FRESH Sukhdeep Singh Bhoga
A southwest Sydney hip hop musician with a penchant for advocating about social justice issues has inspired an artist whose work was exhibited in the celebrated Archibald Prize.
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Archibald finalist Claus Stangl’s debuts are usually eventful.
He was born early on Christmas Day 1980 and his foray into showcasing his art has been memorable after becoming an Archibald finalist just a year after quitting his job as a creative strategist with Instagram and Facebook to focus full time on art.
“I wanted to hit the ground running and I’ve been hidden away in studios working around the day job for 10 years, and the plan was to enter art prizes and enter shows,’’ the Alexandria artist said.
“I’m sure the art world is looking at me and saying ‘He hasn’t done any exhibitions’. It was a year of committing to art. To have a painting in that show was the biggest news. It gives you confidence and validates what you’re doing.”
The London-born and raised’s subject is Glenfield hip-hop musician Sukhdeep Singh Bhoga, aka L-FRESH, an acronym for Forever Rising Exceeding Sudden Hardships, while Lion refers to his middle name Singh, which is given to Sikh men to convey majestic courage.
He was inspired to paint the 32 year old after searching for material to represent Australia’s cultural diversity.
L-FRESH’S music touches on social justice, racism and equality while inspiring positive change.
“I’m always looking for interesting Aussies that have a good story to tell,’’ Stangl said.
“People have many dual cultures that are important to them. L-FRESH may be obviously Indian Sikh but he’s Aussie and from southwest Sydney.’’
He hopes his acrylic painting not only reveals his talent for meticulous attention to detail (“I painted every single hair in his beard”) but other themes of Australia’s multicultural profile.
Stangl’s encounter with L-FRESH allowed him to learn more about his approach to music and key elements of the Sikh religion.
“He taught me the significance of colour – how orange represents wisdom and navy blue is the colour of the warrior and of protection, which I incorporated,’’ he said.
“His regal side-profile is purposely reflective of how the monarchy is represented on coins, but whereas the Queen of England faces east, L-FRESH faces west, signifying a new perspective.’’
In the image, L-FRESH trades a turban for a patka, rarely seen by the public.
Stangl, who moved to Australia in 2008, was aware of the Archibald in the UK. His entry didn’t make the cut a few years ago but for the second time saw him become a finalist.
“It’s huge,’’ he said.
“It’s absolutely massive and like a dream come true.
“It was the show I was working towards. When I found out I was a finalist it made my day. It actually made my decade.”
This year’s winner was Vincent Namatjira, who submitted an acrylic portrait of indigenous AFL champion Adam Goodes.
The Archibald Prize is on show at the Art Gallery of NSW until January 10 as part of the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes 2020 exhibition.