Displayed at the Maitland Regional Art Gallery until March 6 2022, the Archibald Prize finalists for 2021 showcased a great variety of painting styles.
The Archibald Prize is Australia’s most prestigious portrait prize, having been awarded since 1921. Named after J. F. Archibald, the editor of The Bulletin who left a bequeath for the prize it is currently worth $100,000.
Every year the Archibald Prize visits regional centres around Australia, which lets people who can’t get to a major city enjoy the art. This year, Maitland was one of the lucky towns to get the collection for a few weeks.
The Winner Guy Warren at 100 by Peter WegnerPacking Room Prize Winner Kate by Kathryn Longhurst. The painting voted as favourite by the people who unpack and hang the paintingKerry O’Brien All Along the Watch Tower by James PowditchDel Kathryn Barton is a Good Listener by Matthew ClarkeLes by Matthew KentmannFirass by Jeremy EdenFozzy by Julian MeagherMaking Noise by Kirsty NielsonProfessor Mabel Lee by Hong Fu
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
Located on the corner of Bridge and William Streets in the School of Arts building, the Muswellbrook Regional Arts Centre houses a large collection of local national and international artists. The Muswellbrook School of Arts building is worth admiring because of its architectural beauty.
Entry to the centre is free and the friendly staff on the front counter will explain what is currently on display.
During our visit, we were lucky to have the 2019 Archibald Prize being displayed, which gave us an opportunity to admire that years winners. The Young Archies were also available for viewing, with artwork from young Australians on display.
Local artist Max Watters had several of his works on display, with the Centre holding many more of this art in storage. With the Archibald paintings taking up significant galley space, many pieces from the Centre’s collection were in temporary storage. This was a small price to pay however, to be able to see these other great paintings.
School of Arts
Tjuparntarri – Women’s Business by David Darcy
White Shells, Black Heart by Blak Douglas
Art and War by Anh Do
Through The Looking Glass the 2019 Archibald Packing Room Prize by Tessa MacKay
Part of the Max Watters Collection on Display
Part of the Max Watters Collection on Display
Upper Hunter Valley Sculpture Trail
Outside the Centre, is the ANZAC Centenary Stone, which forms the start of the Upper Hunter Valley Sculpture Trail. A sign next to the sculpture explains the trail and what is to be found at each location. See our post on the Sculpture Trail if you want to learn more about it.
Upper Hunter Valley Sculpture Trail Map
ANZAC Centenary Stone Outside the Muswellbrook Regional Arts Centre
What Did We Think?
With the bonus of seeing the Archibald Prize, we really enjoyed our visit. There was a great selection of local artists, that would only be better, when the gallery space taken up by the touring exhibition is available. The Arts Centre often has visiting exhibitions on display so check to see what’s on display before you visit.
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
