It’s an all-female victory this year at the prestigious Archibald Prize, and its associated exhibitions the Wynne and Sulman Prizes.
Melbourne artist Louise Hearman has won the 2016 Archibald with her portrait of iconic Barry Humphries.
Best known for this alter ego Dame Edna Everage, Humphries is a favourite sitter for artists entering work to the Archibald Prize, having sat six times, this win being his first.
The Wynne Prize for the best landscape painting of Australian scenery was awarded to five sisters from the Ken family – Tjungkara Ken, Yaritji Young, Freda Brady, Maringka Tunkin and Sandra Ken – who live in the remote Aboriginal community of Amata in the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara lands.
Their collaborative canvas is a ‘seven sisters’ story about family protecting and teaching each other.
Esther Stewart received the Sulman Prizefor her painting Flatland Dreaming.
The Archibald Packing Room Prize, announced last week, was also awarded to a woman artist and first-time Archibald finalist, Betina Fauvel-Ogden, for her portrait of George Calombaris.
Image: Barry© Louise Hearman
All the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman winners and exhibited works can be viewed at the Art Gallery of New South Wales from tomorrow until Sunday October 9. Tickets start at $18 can be found here.
