Penrith will be a stopover for the Archibald Prize finalists tour, with the Penrith Regional Gallery to host the exhibition over the summer.
Prestigious and controversial, the Archibald Prize is Australia’s foremost portraiture prize with $100,000 awarded to the best portrait, ‘preferentially of some man or woman distinguished in art, letters, science or politics, painted by any artist resident in Australasia’.
The Archibald Prize is the who’s who of Australian culture, from politicians to celebrities and from sporting heroes to artists.
Finalists are exhibited at the Art Gallery of New South Wales before embarking on a regional tour – with the exhibition heading to Penrith Regional Gallery from November 20 where it will stay across the summer period until January 9.
Vincent Namatjira became the first Indigenous artist to win the Archibald with his 2020 portrait of Adam Goodes.
“We are honoured to be hosting the Archibald Prize 2020 Regional Tour at the Gallery,” said Toby Chapman, Manager, Curatorial Programs.
“Particularly with a selection of Australian artists that reflect the diversity of our community. We are especially delighted to have four-time finalist and western Sydney artist Blak Douglas’ portrait of Dujuan Hoosan, Writing in the Sand’.”
In its 100th year, the Archibald Prize has been held since 1921. An open competition, the Archibald Prize is judged by the trustees of the Art Gallery of New South Wales. Entries must be completed in the past year with at least one live sitting with the subject.
The Archibald Prize 2020 Regional Tour is FREE (donations welcome) and on at Penrith Regional Gallery from November 20 to January 9.
For more information visit www.penrithregionalgallery.com.au/events/archibald-prize-2020-regional-tour.
