Tamworth Regional Gallery will today open its doors to art enthusiasts from near and far to celebrate the arrival of the prestigious Archibald Prize 2023.
The Archibald Prize 2023 is an Art Gallery of NSW touring exhibition and Tamworth is one of only six locations across Victoria and NSW to be included, and the only gallery in the New England and Northwest region. The portraits will be on display from 10 May – 23 June, 2024.
Director Art Gallery & Museums, Bridget Guthrie said the exhibition in Tamworth is a real treat for gallery visitors with the University of New England (UNE) sponsoring the tour and allowing free entry for all patrons.
“Tamworth Regional Gallery prides itself on making art accessible to all, and the partnership with UNE provides a wonderful opportunity to allow residents and visitors to the Tamworth region to experience this nationally significant exhibition in person,” she said.
Acclaimed artist, Jaq Grantford, creator of the People’s Choice 2023 portrait ‘Through the Window‘ featuring Noni Hazlehurst, will attend the official opening as a guest speaker.
“This exhibition is a testament to the vibrancy and diversity of Australian art and we are honoured to host Jaq Grantford as she offers a glimpse into the process of creating an award-winning portrait,” Ms Guthrie said.
Throughout the exhibition gallery staff and volunteers will be providing guided tours of the Archibald Prize, in addition to education programs for schools and the public. Included in these programs, is the Young Archies – a competition to celebrate young artists in their local communities, which is currently running alongside the Archibald Prize 2023 tour and is expected to engage hundreds of children and their families from the region.
Australia’s foremost portraiture prize, The Archibald Prize was first awarded in 1921 following a bequest from former Art Gallery trustee and founder of The Bulletin magazine, JF Archibald (1856-1919). The open competition has been awarded annually (with two exceptions: 1964 and 1980) to the best portrait, ‘preferentially of some man or woman distinguished in arts, letters, science or politics, painted by any artist resident in Australasia’.
