Geelong Gallery is delighted to be the exclusive Victorian venue for the 2017 Archibald Prize. High profile, eagerly anticipated and often controversial, the Art Gallery of New South Wales’ Archibald Prize is Australia’s favourite art award, and one of its most prestigious.
Awarded to the best portrait painting, it’s a who’s who of Australian culture, with subjects often including politicians, celebrities, sporting
heroes, authors and artists.
Jason Smith, Director, Geelong Gallery says they’re excited to preent the Archibald Prize in Geelong for the first time.
“There is much anticipation in the region and we look forward to presenting our community with extended opportunities to engage with artists, sitters and more generally with the genre of portraiture,” he says. “We are also delighted to present a comprehensive access and learning program, Who Are You, which we are delivering in conjunction with our partner, Gandel Philanthrophy. As part of this program, the Who’s who portrait prize will incorporate works from over 1,500 children in venues throughout Geelong.”
Since its inception in 1921, the Archibald Prize has been engaging art enthusiasts, and challenging the way we see ourselves and our society. Over the years, the prize has been awarded to many of Australia’s most prominent artists.
43 portraits are exhibited in this years’ exhibition including 2017 Archibald Prize winner Mitch Cairns for his portrait of partner and artist Agatha Gothe-Snape and the Packing Room Prize winner Peter Smeeth for his portrait of Lisa Wilkinson AM.
28 October to 10 December 2017
Entry fees apply
Open daily 10am to 5pm and Friday evenings from 6pm to 9pm