The Minister from Downunder” was painted for, and was hung in the New South Wales Art Gallery during the Archibald 2005. “The Minister from Downunder” Oil painting of Alexander Downer by South Australian Artist Avril Thomas
The Archibald, first awarded in 1921, is Australia’s most publicly known Portrait Prize and exhibition. Each year, the trustees of the Art Gallery of NSW judge the Archibald and Wynne, and invite an artist to judge the Sulman. The shows are hung simultainously.
The Archibald Prize is the most important prize for portraits in Australia. The prize is awarded by the Trustees of the Art Gallery of New South Wales for the best portrait of a person famous in Art, Letters, Science or Politics
The work must be a portrait painted from life, with the subject known to the artist, aware of the artist’s intention and having at least one live sitting with the artist. Must NOT exceed the size limit of 90,000 square cm (eg 3 × 3 m, 1.5 × 6 m).
If you are ever in Sydney during the show. I urge you to also visit The Salon des Refusés its the S.H. Ervin Gallery’s ‘alternative’ selection from works entered into the annual Archibald and Wynne Prizes and well worth seeing.
Avril Thomas Website – https://avrilthomas.net/
Avril Thomas on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/AvrilThomasArtist
Avril Thomas on Pinterest – https://www.pinterest.com.au/AvrilThomasart
Avril Thomas Gallery is at Magpie Springs – https://magpiesprings.com.au/
On Instagram as Magpie Springs – https://www.instagram.com/magpiesprings.wine.art/
On Pinterest as Magpie Springs – https://www.pinterest.com.au/magpiesprings0308
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/MagpieSpringsWinery