THE ARCHIBALD PRIZE, 2008

ART GALLERY OF NEW SOUTH WALES

We attempt to see this wonderful portrait exhibition each year. This year held a special interest for us because Neil Finn's portrait by Martin Ball won the Packing Room Prize.

The following copy is from excellent Archilbald Prize website.

Artist Martin Ball from Auckland has been awarded the Packing Room Prize in conjunction with the 2008 Archibald Prize for his portrait of Crowded House frontman, Neil Finn. Neil Finn is one of New Zealand’s leading singer/songwriters.
“Neil Finn has written some of my favourite songs and so too has his brother Tim,” says Martin Ball who, like many of his generation in New Zealand, grew up listening to their music. “I was delighted when Neil agreed to be my portrait subject.”
Martin Ball didn’t know the Finn brothers personally but just through their music – although he did know some band members of Split Enz who were at art school at the same time as him in the early 1970s.
In his portrait work, Ball is interested in the effects of scale and aims for a simple composition that allows contemplation of the face and head. “In the portrait of Neil Finn I wanted to capture something of his individual and determined approach to making music,” he says.
Born in Auckland in 1952, Ball is known for his hyper realistic paintings and drawings. He studied at the University of Auckland School of Fine Arts and completed a Masters there in 2001. He has always been interested in portraiture. He has had regular solo exhibitions in New Zealand since 1975 and has been represented in numerous group exhibitions including the 2005 and 2007 Archibald Prizes.

The Packing Room Prize gives the Gallery staff who receive the entries for Archibald the chance to vote for their favourite Archibald portrait. This is the Gallery’s head storeman, Steve Peters’, 24th Archibald Prize and his 17th Packing Room Prize. Steve said he chose this painting of Neil Finn because ‘it was a good picture’.
Martin Ball receives $500 and a $500 Myer voucher.

At the conclusion of your visit to The Archilbald exhibition you have the chance to vote for your favourite on one of the battery of computers lined up. When the exhibition concludes the people's choice winner is announced.
Most of the young people I observed, especially the girls, were all voting for the Finn portaitit!

Along with the Neil Finn portrait here are four of my favourites:





The Archilbald was the title of this very large work which showed many previous winners of the prize. It is by Eolo Paul Bottaro.

Dad, what a smile - Roger Boreham.







Simpatico - Barry McCann

Featuring talented, likeable TV chefs Maggie Beer & Simon Bryant.

Nick Waterlow, Xu Wang

If you are in Sydney between now and late May do be sure to visit the Art Gallery of NSW to see this fine exhibition. The Gallery also has an excellent shop with a huge range of art books.
And if you cannot be there do go to their fine Archibald website where you can view all the finalist paintings.