Vincent Namatjira won the Archibald Prize 2020 for his portrayal of Adam Goodes and became the first Indigenous artist to win in 99 years of history
The painting, titled Stand Strong for Who You Are, shows the former footballer and Swans great Goodes shaking hands with Namatjira
Namatjira’s victory follows Meyne Wyatt who made Archibald history last week by winning the $ 1,500 Wrapping Room Prize – judged by gallery staff who receive, unpack and hang the Archibald entrances In doing so, he became the first Native to win one of the prizes offered to the Archibalds in his history
The $ 100,000 prize for the portrait was awarded on Friday as part of a small social event broadcast live at the Art Gallery of New South Wales
The 55 finalists for the Archibald, Australia’s most prestigious portrait award, were revealed last week, after a record 1,068 nominations received
« This is a really special moment for me, » Namatjira said, during the ceremony via video conference from Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara lands in South Australia
“What an honor to be the first Indigenous recipient of the Archibald Prize,” he said “It only took 99 years. I’m so proud to be the first, but I also have to thank everyone Indigenous finalists and Indigenous Guardians from this year and past «
“I am delighted that an Indigenous artist, Vincent Namatjira, has won the Archibald Prize for the first time and I am very happy that he sheds light on all Indigenous art,” said Goodes “We have a 60,000 year history of art and culture in our people and we share this knowledge and gift of culture with all of Australia
« Vincent and I are also compatriots I am so proud of Vincent and his family, their journey has been shared through the art of generations »
Namatjira’s work has grown in popularity over the past decade, with the artist being awarded an Order of Australia this year in honor of her contribution to Indigenous visual arts
Namatjira first met Goodes in 2018 and decided to paint him after watching the recent documentary The Final Quarter, about Goodes’ last season playing at the AFL
In the notes to his painting, Namatjira described Goodes as « a proud Indigenous person who stands up for his people »
“We share similar stories and experiences – of disconnection from culture, language and country, and the constant pressures to be an indigenous man in this country,” according to the notes “We also have all the two young girls and we don’t want them to have the same experiences
« When I was younger and growing up in the host system in Perth, native footballers were like heroes to me, however, Goodesy is much more than a great footballer – he took a strong stand against racism and said: « Enough is enough » I’m also strong with you, brother «
Past Archibald winners include Australian visual arts luminaries John Olsen, Del Kathryn Barton, Ben Quilty, Wendy Sharpe and Brett Whiteley
This year’s finalists include works by Abdul Abdullah, Louise Hearman, Vincent Namatjira and Emily Crockford, with models such as Annabel Crabb, Behrouz Boochani and David Marr
There was more success for Indigenous artists and artists of color in the Wynne and Sulman Awards, also awarded on Friday
Western Aranda-Luritja artist Hubert Pareroultja won the Wynne Prize of $ 50,000 for his painting Tjoritja (West MacDonnell Ranges, NT) The prize is awarded to either the best landscape painting of Australian landscapes in oil or watercolor, or the best example of figurative sculpture
« I am so happy and happy that my work is appreciated and seen by so many people in the south It is important to me because it is my country that my father showed me when I learned to painting for the first time, « he said » I would like to see more Indigenous people doing the same job as me «
Meanwhile, the Sulman Prize of $ 40,000, for the best subject or genre painting or wall painting in oil, acrylic, watercolor or mixed media, was attributed to Marikit Santiago for her painting The Divine
« I hope the communities I belong to will feel represented when they see my work, » Santiago said as he accepted the award
“I hope this is for the Filipino community, the biracial children growing up with multiple cultural identities, the young artists of West Sydney and the artists who are mothers. will feel supported and accepted when they see the work of someone like me hanging on the walls of the Art Gallery of New South Wales «
The Archibald usually opens in May, but has been postponed this year with the Wynne and Sulman Awards due to the coronavirus pandemic
The finalists will be on display at the Art Gallery of NSW until January 10, followed by a tour of the NSW and Victoria area in 2021
Vincent Namatjira
News from the world – UA – Archibald Prize 2020: Vincent Namatjira named laureate for the portrait of Adam Goodes
