The Archibald Prize....has it had its day?

[Deleted]

Once again, Del Kathryn Barton has won the Archibald Prize for her portrait of Hugo Weaving with a creepy cat (ocelot? lynx?)

www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/prizes/archibald/2013/29358/

To my mind, there were far far superior entries and yes, I admit the detail in her work is extraordinary, but I am beginning to thing the award has become bogged down in some sort of...I don't know...think of some arty word..!!!


I used to take great interest in this award, visiting the gallery the year the giant portrait on Gurrumul won (worthy winner too) but lately it seems to be same-same..

perhaps a change of judging panel?

I think the Packing Room guys/girls nail it every year...this is a beauty!
www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/prizes/archibald/2013/29379/


What are your thoughts?

[sonex]

I thought the Packers Choice was very similar to a photograph, I quite like the Hugo Weaving one, lots of things to wonder about, the snake, the cat, etc, it had a slight medieval look.

[jody]

Yes it is a good piece of work but we should never expect that all the time from a painted portrait. I don't mind the winning piece at all. It is interesting and I agree that it has a lot to look at. There is a lot going on but Hugo is still the foal point due to the colours used to paint him.
I also love how the cat is holding onto his arm....as a cat lover I find that very sweet. The leaf piece on his chest is to represent Australia? I would use whimsical to describe it.