The Archibald Prize tour coming to Maitland

The Maitland Regional Art Gallery will be home to a collection from one the country’s most popular art prizes. You may have seen the works from afar, but now you can see them up close.

Maitland art gallery director Gerry Bobsien

It’s Australia’s most prestigious portrait prize.

The exhibition is currently on its regional tour and Maitland is the first port of call.

“Having The Archibald prize come to the Hunter is massive,” said Maitland art gallery director Gerry Bobsien.

“When it was at the Art Gallery of NSW, Covid hit. It means we’re anticipating a lot of people coming up for this that missed out.”

Judged by the trustees of the Art Gallery of NSW, the prize is awarded to the best portrait painting. Since 1921, it has highlighted figures from all walks of life, from famous faces to local heroes, reflecting back to us the stories of our times.

As one of the most well known artistic prizes in the country, many people know about the Archibalds, but Bobsien believes seeing the works up close and personal is something altogether different.

Archibald Prize Finalist and Winner Packing Room Prize 2021, Kathrin Longhurst’s Kate © the artist

“It’s history. It’s controversy, its appeal. Nothing challenges it. There’s nothing like standing in front of a painting and witnessing it in an art gallery. Every painting has a story because they’re human beings on the canvass,” Bobsien said.

Last year’s Archibald Prize winner, Peter Wegner’s ‘Portrait of Guy Warren at 100’ is the feature of the show.

Warren, a celebrated artist who himself won the Archibald in 1985 for his portrait of the artist Bert Flugelman, is a real eye-catcher, but it’s one of a few making a statement on the walls.

Sydney-based artist Kathrin Longhurst’s entry ‘Kate’ — a portrait of multiple ARIA award winning singer-songwriter Kate Ceberano — stands out, as well as Julian Meagher’s painting of retired soccer player and human rights activist, Craig Foster AM.

Longhurst’s entry won the Packing Room Prize, which is chosen by gallery staff who, as the name suggests, are involved in the unpacking of entries and their preparation and hanging in the gallery.

Archibald Prize 2021 finalist Julian Meagher’s Fozzy © the artist

Bobsien said many of the entries across the board convey a deep connection between artist and muse.

“You look at some of these paintings and you realise that the painter and the sitter really have a relationship. There’s so many I like from this exhibition I really haven’t got a favourite,” she said.

The Archibalds are in its 100th year and are open to anyone wishing to submit an entry.

“There’s a series of strict rules. You can’t just paint from someone’s photograph, you have to paint while someone is sitting there. That takes hours and days and it’s a long process. There’s over 900 applicants but only 52 finalists. So you can rock up at the loading dock at the art gallery of NSW on the day of taking the entries, and I know the trustees will look at that in itself is unique.”

The exhibition starts on Saturday at Maitland Regional Art Gallery and concludes on March 6.