THE annual Bald Archy Prizeopened Friday at the Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery.
Now in its 29th year, the Bald Archy Prize is something of a satirical antidote to its more serious counterpart, the Archibald Prize, Australia’s most notable portrait competition.
Unlike the Archibald, which rewards serious artistic merit, the Bald Archy traditionally celebrates the most absurd portrait of an Australian celebrity, past winners including 2013’s disturbing likeness of Gina Rinehart by Warren Lane, and Pat Hudson’s utterly unprintable caricature of Cardinal George Pell in 2016.
This year’s $10000 prize went to Phil Meatchem, whose dark depiction of former Opposition Leader Peter Dutton clearly impressed the judge (a sulphur-crested cockatoo called Maude has been judging the Bald Archy since its inception in 1994).
“Presenting the Bald Archy Prize is a delight for the gallery,” said gallery manager Kathy Graham.
“It’s something entirely different, bold, and irreverent.
“The exhibition offers our audiences a rare opportunity to encounter contemporary portraiture through humour, satire, and playfulness, all while reflecting on the cultural and political figures that shape our times.”
The show runs at Broken Hill City Art Gallery from July 11 to August 10, and opens tonight at 6pm.
