All eyes on the prize

Right: Geoffrey Rush by Max Cullen

It’s our most famous and controversial art prize – often featuring the faces of our nation’s most famous and controversial figures, but the Archibald Prize is always a hit with art lovers, as thousands flock to the annual show at the Art Gallery of NSW to compare their tastes with the Gallery’s trustees, who choose the winner.

This year was no exception, with Adam Cullen’s portrait of Seachange actor David Wenhan turning some culture vultures apoplectic, despite the subject matter’s obvious popularity with the public. Cullen’s haunting work was made just as the actor had finished the harrowing movie The Boys, and captures the dark complexity and chameleon-like nature of an actor in a deceptively naive style.

But don’t take our word for it, the likes of Ken Done, Geoffrey Rush, The Sandman (complete with his ‘little friend’ hanging out) and 7.30 host Kerry O’Brien, along with more than a dozen other large works, are currently on show at the Lismore Regional Art Gallery until November 27. The Archibald Prize is brilliant, vibrant and entertaining – dont miss it. Entry to the gallery is by donation.

‘blue’ (Kerry O’Brien) by Kim Spooner	Portrait of David Wenham by Adam Cullen
Paul Byrnes by Branca Uzur	Sasha Grishin by Garry Shead
Self Portrait with the artist - Julie Fragar, Chuck Close, security by Julie Fragar