1 July to 30 July 2006
It’s irreverent, witty, crazy and ‘just for fun’. It’s the only art competition in the world judged by a sulphur-crested cockatoo, named Maude! And it is now regarded as the alternative competition to The Archibald Prize, attracting ever-increasing numbers of fans to its annual showings.
Created in 1994 as a spoof of that more serious competition, the Bald Archy provides artists of all styles and standards with a genuine opportunity, ranging from the hilarious to the bizarrely vulgar, to create portrait paintings of humour, dark satire, light comedy or caricature.
Winning subjects over the years have included Kerry Packer, Amanda Vandstone, Edmund Capon, Shane Warne, Dame Edna Everage, John Howard and Pauline Hanson, Robbie Waterhouse and Gai Waterhouse, Rupert Murdoch, Jeff Kennett, Cardinal Pell and Tony Abbott, and Ian Thorpe.
The acquisitive prize of $5,000 is sponsored by SHIELD MERCANTILE and two People’s Choice Awards (of pearl jewellery) are provided by DEEP SEA MOONLIGHT PEARLS. The Bald Archys will be transported from gallery to gallery courtesy of TOLL IPEC.
“It would defeat the whole purpose if anyone took it seriously. After all, how can anyone make a genuine comment on something intended to defy criticism?” – Canberra Times
“A jibe at the absurdity of attempting to judge art” – Australian Art Review
“The greatest collection of comic art portraits in the land” – Syd. Sun. Tel.
Exhibition Supporters:
Judy Nadin, Da Portrait of a Foxy Lady (apologies to Da Vinci)
Simon Schneider, Messiah
Alan McClure, The Deal
Anthony Pascoe, The Keg on Legs
