Archibald Prize Entry

A 2013

 

Archibald Prize Entry

“Waiting Too” Mixed Media; Acrylic, Charcoal and Pastel, 1080x1700mm

This year, having thought about many people to approach to sit for me, I decided to work on a self portrait which also included my daughter, Tahlia. The inspiration for this portrait came from seeing a Degas painting titled “Waiting” which I had executed a pen and ink sketch of. I was attracted to the composition and concept of the painting. I often will sketch a work I admire- this helps me get a practical idea of the artist’s concept, technique, composition and lighting.

The concept of a mother, or guardian, waiting for a young person to audition for dance is very much a theme of my life at present. I have, on several occasions, waited outside the Australian Ballet School while my daughter has auditioned or taken classes there. There is a garden nestled between the Art Centre, National Gallery of Victoria and The Primrose Potter Australian Ballet Centre, which contains a sculpture of dancer. It has a walkway to the Ballet Centre and there is a low concrete wall that I sit on. I sketch, read or write in my journal as I wait.

In this painting I deliberately distorted the image to fit in all the elements; figures, sculpture against the sky, garden, Ballet Centre, Arts Centre and city buildings, while retaining the face as the focus.

It had long been a goal of mine to submit portraits for the Archibald Prize. With the Prize exhibition being shown at TarraWarra Museum, near to where I live, last year I decided it was time. Last year, in 2012, I submitted my portrait of local doctor Jenny Conway posed in a portrait titled:

“A Matter of Life and Death”