The prestigious Archibald Prize has revealed this year’s finalists with Aussie rock royalty among the ranks.
The annual award – named after renowned journalist and Art Gallery of NSW trustee JF Archibald – this year features portraits of Go-Betweens’ Robert Forster and Sunnyboys, alongside 40 other works vying for the top prize.
An oil on linen work by the artists known as ‘what’, the bold Forster piece is accompanied by a Go-Betweens’ style poem by the artist, who has held 20 solo exhibitions around the world and previously been a finalist in the Wynne Prize, the Sulman Prize and more.
An Archibald finalist in 2005, Jon Campbell’s Two Sunny Boys featuring Peter and Jeremy Oxley sees him take on one of his favourite bands.
Campbell’s portrait is based off the band’s 2013 self-titled documentary.
“The movie made me appreciate the closeness and love between them, which helped them through many trying and dark times. I tried to present this by literally painting them with their noses almost touching,” Campbell said.
2016 included portraits of Shining Bird frontman Dane Taylor and comedians Rhys Nicholson and Lawrence Leung, with Louise Hearman being dubbed the winner for her portrait of entertainer/satirist/painter Barry Humphries.
The $100,000 Archibald prize will be announced on 28 July and you can see Robert Forster and Sunnyboys’ portraits here.
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