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.
Our visit to the Maitland Regional Art Gallery in January 2022 was a chance to see the galleries’ latest exhibitions. Three of the four will stay until February, but one is due to be replaced by the Archibald Prize paintings. An unusual display was the models used for a stop-motion production, Lost Property Office, which contained some amazing hand-built models.
A tribute to soon-to-be closed Maitland Hospital, A Conspicuous Object aims to bring its stories to life through art. Having existed since 1840, a lot of history and people have passed through its doors. Because the artists used different styles the displays were very interesting.
A Conspicuous ObjectIndigenous Art for the Maitland HospitalHospital Blue – Linda Greedy Medical EquipmentSyringesNurse UniformsAn Archaeology of Care – Anita Johnson
National Art (Part One)
National Art was a selection of artworks by 50 Australian artists who studied at the National Art School in Sydney. This exhibition celebrates some of the extraordinary artists it has trained over the past seven decades.
National Art Part OneDown on His Luck – Anna ZahaklaAll You Can Eat Seafood Buffet – Joan Ross
Storylines
Using drawing, the artists in Storyline examine Australian History and how we interpret it. Australia’s greatest racehorse Phar Lap looks totally different drawn as a skeleton rather than a full horse. A nearby metal sculpture of his heart shows what powered this magnificent horse.
Phar LapPhar Lap’s Heart
Lost Property Office – Daniel Agdad
Our favourite exhibition, Lost Property Office is a stop-motion production. Produced by Daniel Agdad over 18 Months, the meticulously made models are simply amazing because of their detail. The 1,258 hand-made cardboard models are artworks and deserve a display as well as the film viewed.
Lost Property Office – Daniel AgdagHotel and Diner – Daniel AgdagTram Car and Diner – Daniel AgdagLost Property Office – Daniel AgdagModel Train Station – Daniel Agdag
What Did We Think of the Maitland Regional Art Gallery 2022
This was a fun visit, with some very interesting artworks to see, particularly the Lost Property Office. Not only were traditional paintings on display, but the cardboard models were amazing.
With 3 exhibitions at the Newcastle Art Gallery in December 2021 it’s a great place to visit The three exhibits fill the galleries walls until January 30, 2022.
About Being Here
The first exhibit consists of ceramic art work by Angela Valamaneh of the Jam Factory. Titles “About Being Here” displays works from her developing style of the late 1990s until present.
Natural Histories #FUntitled CeramicInsect/Orchid
Instrumental Cause
The exhibition Instrumental Cause is by guest curator Donna Biles-Fernando featuring portraits from Newcastle Art Gallery’s collection. These examine how different artists work.
The Suspension of Disbelief by Marcus BeilbyInstrumental Cause
The Art of Protest at Newcastle Art Gallery December 2021
The Art of Protest features politically engaged artists past and present responding to disaster and injustice and calling for change, whether from community activism or global social movements.
Covering over 100 years of resistance, it shows how new artists take up the fight each decade. Many areas of protest are covered, from workers’ rights and feminism to climate change.
The Art of Protest TitleMade From Melted Family Ute Lost in the 2019/20 Fires by Fiona LeeI Can’t Breathe by Maddison GibbsPaper Armada by Alex Seaton and Screen Prints by Peter DrewTrial By Fire by Fiona LeeThe Bunker by Fiona LeeBillionaires UnitedThylacine Study No.4 by Joseph McGlennon
