April 30, 2005

G'day all.
I've not posted for a while, due to having an unpleasant bout of back pain (slipped disc) bought on by merely planting some basil. Thankfully I have a pretty good chiropractor.

The subject for my dissertation today is "The Archibald Prize". For those of you unfamiliar with the 'Prize' - it's the foremost Art award for Portraiture in Australia. It's worth a cool $35K(au) to the winner, which ain't to be sneezed at!

One thing about the Archibald Prize is that it's always controversial. I can't remember a year when there wasn't a shermozzle about something. This year, as far as I'm concerned, should be no exception.

The Winner is John Olsen - an artist who is apparently revered by many and obviously by those on the panel. Frankly I'd give $20 for the painting...and then only for the value of the canvas to paint over. If you think I'm joking just take a look for yourself.

Here are the portraits his was up against.

I've been to some fine Art Galleries, The National Gallery, The Tate, The Art Gallery of NSW, ditto Victoria and South Australia, not to mention The Art Museum in St.Louis and many other smaller ones in various countries and even including the Cairns Art Gallery.

I have an appreciation for just about every genre, but I wouldn't hang this particular one in the Museum of Contemporary Art at Circular Quay(Sydney)! It would be an insult to some of the other daubs hanging there. I actually prefer the paintings executed by a couple of Asian Elephants in an exhibit entitled 'When Elephants Paint' (June/August 2001).

I'm wondering if Mr.Olsen was awarded the prize because he's not getting any younger. If this is the case, maybe I should give away the jewellery and pick up the palette again?

Your comments on this award, would be viewed with interest.

Vickie.

Posted by Midus at April 30, 2005 07:20 PM
Comments

Couldn't say I was a fan of the piece in question, but what do I know? My 2 favorite artworks (Barring various RPG related art) and Edvard Munch's 'The Scream' and Frank Frazetta's 'The Barbarian'. :)

Posted by: Gav at May 1, 2005 11:44 AM

Hi Gav!
Can't say that "The Scream" has ever done much for me, though I certainly find more artistic merit in it than "Janus" by Olsen.

Frank Frazetta is considered an illustrator, but hey, I like Vallejo's work too and he's put down by 'serious' artists. Both have more talent than Olsen in MHO.

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

Vickie.

Posted by: Vickie at May 1, 2005 07:10 PM

What little Vallejo I've seen hasn't impressed me all that much - I much prefer folks like Ron Spencer and Mark Gibbons. (Rob should recognise that last name.)

Gav.

Posted by: Gav at May 1, 2005 09:55 PM

Mark Gibbons is the artist who worked on Primal...I recall seeing an interview with him on Sony, if I remember rightly. I'm guessing he's the same artist who worked for Games Workshop.

Re Vallejo - you have to remember I'm a female first and gamer second...blasphemous though that might be! LOL I mean, I'd have to be blind NOT to prefer a well muscled, well oiled hunk, to a mean muva monster- right?

Vickie.

Posted by: Vickie at May 2, 2005 12:17 AM

I only know Mark Gibbons though his GW stuff, I've never heard of Primal. I do know he and Jes Goodwin are the only people who should be allowed to draw Eldar though.

If you were still in Sydney I'd drop round with some of the books Spencer's illustrated. His Werewolf: The Dark Ages stuff is amazing.

As for the 2nd comment - I've known a few women (And men for that matter) who'd prefer the monster...

Gav.

Posted by: Gav at May 2, 2005 01:30 PM

Hi there! I found the work boring. I have seen more stimulating and challenging work (not to say "better") from year 8 students at my local high school. The art teacher at Kate's school (who is in fact a successful [read selling] artist in a number of media)is appalled at the number of good pieces overlooked for this mundane item. We both feel that the term "winner" should be used very loosely.
ttfn

Posted by: Mally at May 2, 2005 04:44 PM

Hiya Jacqui,
Thanks for the imput. I'm in total agreement with your comparison with the grade 8 students art work.

I find it insulting to the artists who submitted their paintings and if I were they, I would boycott the competition from now on and encourage others to do so.

The portrait of Bill Hunter was the Packers Pick and has far more merit...even if I do prefer "The Minister from Down Under".

Vickie.

Posted by: Vickie at May 2, 2005 06:53 PM

G'day Gav,

Bring the books with you, when you finally decide to brave the sunlight of FNQ.

Re the 2nd comment...Gamers no doubt? LOL

Vickie.

Posted by: Vickie at May 2, 2005 06:55 PM

Gamers? With the company I keep?

Surely you jest madam!

:)

Posted by: Gav at May 3, 2005 01:09 PM

Jest - Moi?
One of these days Gav,
I'm going to write a short story about the gamers I have met. Guess who has a feature role to play?

Vickie.

Posted by: Vickie at May 3, 2005 02:04 PM

I suddenly had this vision of Brion James handing the artist the winning ticketand telling him it was a cover so he could retrieve four stones from the Diva Plava Laguna.

"Old tricks are the best tricks!"

Rob

Posted by: IMAGinES at May 3, 2005 08:29 PM

Erk! You realise that poor Mr. Olsen would have to be dead for that to actually happen? But then it's all just elemental if it's a vision...or should that be mental?

Love,
V.

Posted by: Vickie at May 4, 2005 12:03 AM

So I have someone wanting to write fanfic about me...

I'm flattered and scared in equal amounts.

Gav.

Posted by: Gav at May 4, 2005 10:08 AM

Fanfic...well I guess you could call it that. Probably end up as more of an expose on the Secret Life of Role Players. You know, the "what lurks behind the quiet exterior of ..." ;)

Anyway, I'll have to think on this for a while.
Vickie.

Posted by: Vickie at May 4, 2005 12:22 PM

The work isn't exactly terrible - but not as appealing as the others in the finals.

Art being what it is, you can never deciede the value of a work basied on the reward it recieves - or doesn't recieve as the case my be.

Personally I think the colour scheme brings back memories of the toilet bowl, and the form harkins back to primary, but hey, he gets the cash, its all good.

Posted by: Mandi at May 4, 2005 05:53 PM

I've just read an interesting and enlightening article in the Bulletin regarding the Archibald.
http://bulletin.ninemsn.com.au/bulletin/site/articleIDs/AB4D50D45CE98577CA256FF0000CB412.
It's worth a look.

Vickie.

Posted by: Vickie at May 6, 2005 09:59 AM

Hi Mandi...long time no see!
It's interesting to note that John Olsen was formerly a member of the Archibald selection board. Maybe that accounts for some of their appalling selections in the past.

Yep - he does get the cash and yes it is all good...for Mr. Olsen.

One of the original criteria for selecting the winner was that it had to appeal to 'the everyman' I feel that they should be reminded of Mr. Archibald's wish.

I reckon your toilet bowl comment was right on the money and that's where 'Janus' belongs.

Vickie.

Posted by: Vickie at May 6, 2005 10:09 AM