Archibald Prize crowns its first Indigenous winner, Vincent Namatjira for Adam Goodes portrait

‘It only took 99 years’: portrait of AFL great Adam Goodes seals historic first Archibald for artist Vincent Namatjira.

The 2020 Archibald Prize winner, Vincent Namatjira’s ‘Stand strong for who you are’ featuring former footballer Adam Goodes and Vincent Namatjira. Picture: Supplied

Vincent Namatjira has become the first Indigenous artist to win the Archibald Prize with his portrait of Adam Goodes, called Stand Strong for Who You Are.

The great-grandson of watercolourist Albert Namatjira, Vincent Namatjira said it “only took 99 years” for an Indigenous artist to win the award.

“I am so proud to be the first,” he said from his home in South Australia’s APY lands.

Goodes said in a statement: “I am thrilled that an Indigenous artist, Vincent Namatjira, has won the Archibald Prize and I am so pleased that it shines a light on all Indigenous art”.

The prize was announced by the President of the Art Gallery of NSW Trustees, David Gonski.

The nation’s most-watched art award, the Archibald is decided by the Art Gallery of NSW Trustees and has a prize of $100,000.

It was is most popular year ever for the Archibald, with the gallery receiving a record 1068 entries.

The Archibald Prize exhibition, opening on Saturday, has 55 finalists, including portraits of famous Australians from the fields of politics, media, literature and the arts.

🎆 Congratulations to Vincent Namatjira, winning the #ArchibaldPrize with his portrait of #AdamGoodes!
See more: https://t.co/rJVKAOQRaX

Artwork: Winner Archibald Prize 2020 Vincent Namatjira 'Stand strong for who you are' © the artist

Thanks to Presenting Partner @ANZ_AU pic.twitter.com/hsZCqbM7o1

— Art Gallery of NSW (@ArtGalleryofNSW) September 25, 2020

Wendy Sharpe has painted comedian Magda Szubanski in the guise of Sharon Strzelecki, Nicholas Sharp has a portrait of journalist David Marr, and Guy Maestri has been selected for his small portrait of presenter Jennifer Byrne.

Archibald Prize 2020 finalists

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Several politicians are represented, with portraits of Barry Jones (by Louise Hearman), NSW environment minister Matt Kean (by Charles Mouyat), Labor leader Anthony Albanese (by James Powditch) and New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern (by John Ward Knox).

Other portraits include late union leader and conservationist Jack Mundey (by Justine Muller), author Bruce Pascoe (by Craig Ruddy) refugee activist and author Behrouz Boochani (by Angus McDonald).

Usually held in May, the prize was pushed back to September this year because of the pandemic.

Last week, actor and playwright Meyne Wyatt won the Packing Room Prize, worth $1500, for a self-portrait. He was the first Indigenous artist to win any of the prizes associated with the Archibald in its 99-year history.