"Culture Heist"

The annual Archibald prize ( $100,000) for portraiture is always (we hope) a controversial event and one of Sydney's most fascinating artistic events. Everyone should get along to the Art Gallery of NSW to see this year's exhibition and take the time to explore this wonderful gallery.

Our photo collection shows some of the entries. The top picture is the portrait of TV journalist Lisa Wilkinson which won the Packer's Prize where Gallery workers decide on their favourite. To date no Packer's Prize has won the Archibald.

 (right : a rejected portrait of  Yassmin Abdel-Magied)

And this year's Archibald did not fail to explode into a controversy. It started off with little comment until renowned artist John Olsen weighed in lambasting the winning choice. Others like artist Tim Storrier have made similar comments.
(The winner is the middle painting below Lisa, a portrait by Mitch Cairns of his partner)
Now journalist Judith White who is a member of the Art Gallery Society has joined the outcry with a must-read article.
Whispers has to agree with White on one point : we badly miss the presence of former director Edmund Capon who was lured from the V&A in London and has positively breathed amazing life into the wondrous but stuffy art gallery

 

 John Olsen says Archibald Prize win is 'the worst decision I've ever seen'

 Behind the Archibald controversy by Judith White

 

Is that a very young John Olsen (left)  protesting the Archibald in years past?

Party Of The Month

 
  Catalina Restaurant in Rose Bay, by the harbour, has now been one of Sydney's most popular eateries for 20 years and owners Michael and Judy McMahon decided to throw a bash. And what a party . Guests were delivered in a fleet of Jaguars, entertainment was by the world renowned trumpeter James Morrison and his big band and most importantly, the Pommery flowed. We think they should have a party every year like this !


right : Ronan Keating and girlfriend Storm 
Uechtritz enjoyed themselves

below : a sure sign of how well Catalina is thought of by fellow top chefs : Neil Perry & Luke Mangan (right) joined the party

Eileen 'Red' Bond had a ball ..as did Tim Storrier and Justin Miller and this couple approved of the bubbles!

Geat Honour for Sir Les

A magnificent portrait of the noted Australian diplomat Sir Les Patterson, representative of the Cheese Board and Cultural Affairs Attache to the Court of St James has received a rare honour.
A portrait of him has today picked up the Packer's Prize, chosen by those who receive, unpack and hang entries for the Archibald Prize.

And the prize is not to be sniffed at either, artist Tim Storrier wins $1000 plus an ANZ Bank $500 gift card. Sadly for Storrier, no Packer's Prize choice has gone on to win the Archibald. That will be chosen next Friday at a gala bash at the NSW Art Gallery.
Below is a film of Sir Les in action. You
can see why he is respected in diplomatic circles world-wide.

Earth To Sydney Confidential

The old Darlinghust Gaol built in 1840 must have been a foreboding thought for those sentenced to be housed there by the nearby Darlinghurst Criminal Court where the more sensational murder cases are still conducted today.
Being banged up in the tiny and claustrophobic cells for life (for those who avoided the gallows) would have been a mind destroying experience.

These days the Gaol hosts a variety of schools in the arts and catering fields and  it's a lively place of learning.
Last week the National Art School housed there held a fundraiser attended by a number of leading artists including this year's Archibald winner Tim Storrier and, as Rupert Murdoch's top selling Daily Telegraph put it : "revered artist John Olsen".
Accompanying the story is the above photo with the caption " Ros Packer and Tim Storrier."
For the record : this is artist Tim Storrier ( the artist above is John Olsen) at the right :

..and at left  is Ros Packer (at the Bulgari party 2 weeks ago). Both feature often in the Shuttle. (they should read us more often as some leading UK newspapers do to source their stories)
 Rumours are flying thick and fast that a major staff crunch is coming at News Ltd in September and the fear and loathing at the Holt Street HQ is palpable. Perhaps they may re-think the notion of out-sourcing their sub-editing.

Archibald Still Pleases

The Archibald Portrait prize never fails to shock and delight, always with a tinge of controversy. This year's recipient was Bathurst artist Tim Storrier with his self portrait (minus head): The histrionic wayfarer (after Bosch) .

Lucky Tim-for the first time the prize was raised to $75,000 although that's a fraction of the price he receives for a painting.

Above is Adam Cheng's portrait of film producer Emile Sherman who picked up an Oscar for The King's Voice.

The launch was also an opportunity to meet the new News South Wales Art Gallery director Michael Brand who will take over from Edmund Capon in June. Brand is the current director of the Aga Khan Museum which is being built in Toronto and formerly the J.Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles.

Below are some of the finalists:

(left) Martin Sharp's painting
 'the thousand dollar bill'

and right: Garry Shead's 'Martin Sharp and 
his magic theatre'

Adam Cullen's 'Nelson & Koko'

 right : Michael Vale's 'Night of the wolverine – a portrait of Dave Graney and Clare Moore'