Geelong Gallery is delighted to announce that 2017 Archibald Prize subject Michelle Heyman, one of Australia’s top athletes, will be at Geelong Gallery on Friday 24 November ahead of the Westfield Matildas V China playing in Geelong on Sunday 26 November at 4.30pm at GMHBA Stadium.
Heyman, an openly gay athlete who represented Australia at the Rio Olympics in 2016, was the subject for Sydney based artist Kim Leutwyler’s 2017 Archibald Prize submission.
“As a striker for the Matildas and Canberra United, Michelle is one of Australia’s most impressive sportswomen. She is passionate about being a role model for kids, and openly speaks out against bullying, encouraging young people to be their authentic selves,” says Leutwyler.
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.