It's Archibald time again

[cosmosgrove]

The 2014 Archibald Prize finalists have been announced, Tim Storrier's painting of Sir Les Patterson has won the Packing room prize, who's your pick for the big one? I can never choose just one.

http://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/prizes/archibald/2014/

[fourandsixpants]

Thanks for posting link cosmo

I like these 3:

Fuifui Moimoi by N Payne .....love this:)

Morpheus by A Mezei ...........for the atmospherics created-fantastic!

Reg Richardson by M Cairns.....excellent composition, placement etc. Very clever.

[fourandsixpants]

I wish someone next year would do an iconic painting, that says something more realistic about our present Australian way of life....like a painting of a fly-in-fly-out worker say, after a haggard couple of weeks of twelve hour shifts in a stinking hot mine site - waiting outside the ramshackle Perth airport terminal for a lift home! Many folk would relate to this......

[lloydslights]

Morpheus - Andrew Meizi - The many textures of the artistry and the interpretation of the subject's occupation.

Tom Uren - Mirra Whale

Sarah Peirse - Jude Rae

I have never selected the winning entry over many years of observation.

DEB

[lloydslights]

To be able to capture that weariness and the dazed eyes. And the "just let me get home to my bed" slumped-shoulders. 

Great subject for a compassionate artist.  

I'm not  denigrating the miner in any way, but the subject of the Archibald is usually of someone of importance within the arts, medicine, politics, business, etc. world.

Maybe someone else can help us with an artist that has captured "real life" identities by way of a brush.

DEB

[putney32]

the Archibald is supposed to be of a person of note in the Arts, Science, Education or Politics etc...

[fourandsixpants]

Oh God forbid then!......a painting of a weary FIFO miner/worker ....with say, the Minister for Mines loping around in the background then.....that would qualify ?

....problem would be finding any Minister prepared to go within a few feet of the Perth Domestic Airport and/or near a 'real' worker.

[cq_tech]

As always it's going to be an almost impossible task for the judges, but my preferences are (in no particular order):

Fuifui Moimoi by Nicolee Payne
Morpheus by Andrew Meizi
Proud by Jandamarra Cadd
Tom Uren by Mirra Whale
Adam Goodes by Alan Jones
Reg Richardson by M Cairns
Sarah Peirse by Jude Rae

It took me over 30 minutes just to come up with this short-list of seven, so I really don't envy the judges this year. Any of the above would be a worthy winner IMO and it's a pity that only one artist can win the ultimate prize. Just to be named as a finalist is a remarkable achievement in itself.

[soulart2]

My fav artists for this years Archibald......

Judy Rae

Nicolee Payne

Julian Meagher

Joanna Braithwaite

How hard would it be to choose the finalists.....let alone the winner.

[soulart2]

Had another look at the painting by Andrew Mezei, as his name seems to be a popular choice on here.

I love his explanation of the painting but when I look at it, there is something not quite right with her head/face?

Does anyone else get that feeling? and if so, I wonder if it's on purpose ?