An encounter of a close kind with the Bald Archy prize a decade ago has motivated the owner of the Fairmont resort, Jerry Schwartz, to secure the exhibition for showing in Leura.
At the time, Dr Schwartz was painted by his friend, artist Brad Munro, as a subject for the Bald Archy, which celebrates satirical or comical art works.
“When, out of the blue, I received an email from Peter Bakey, who set up this prize, asking if I wished to become a sponsor of the prize, I jumped at the idea,” Dr Schwartz said. “Not only because of the chance to become involved in what I believe is an amazing art prize, but also because I thought that it would be a mutual benefit if I could offer my hotels as venues for the exhibition.
“The prize was no longer displayed in Sydney, and this was the opportunity to offer the display in my new hotel, the Sofitel Darling Harbour, during the month of April.
“Peter Batey was acceptable that we could show the exhibition in the Blue Mountains, keeping in mind the strong art ties that this area has,” Dr Schwartz said.
So from May 25 until June 24, the paintings of prominent Australians will be hung in the Mountains for the first time, at Leura Golf Club.
This is the 25th anniversary of the Bald Archy competition. This year’s winner of the $10,000 prize was Maitland painter, James Brennan, for his Anh Can Do painting of comedian and artist Anh Do. It was the fourth time Brennan has won the coveted prize and follows last year’s winning portrait of now-disgraced cricketer, David Warner.
The competition is notorious for its irreverent depictions of well-known Australians. This year, paintings feature politicians in the spotlight such as ‘Shanghai Sam’ (Dastyari), ‘Kiwi Barnaby’ (Joyce), Peter Dutton and Tony Abbott, along with celebrities from the artistic and sporting world including Craig McLachlan, Jimmy Barnes, Barry Humphries and Steve Smith. Subject matters for the paintings cover hot contemporary issues such as same sex marriage and the MP’s citizenship crisis.
James Brennan said Anh Do was an inspiration for him.
“I admire him for what he has accomplished in his life from his very humble beginnings as a child refugee to a successful author, actor, comedian and artist,” said Brennan.
“I love his art, he has his own TV show ‘Anh’s Brush with Fame’ and he has been a finalist for the Archibald Prize. He also has that incredible big smile and happy-go-lucky personality that I wanted to capture on canvas.”
Convenor of the Bald Archy, director Peter Batey, said: “While the Bald Archy Prize has sometimes been held in contempt by the ‘art snobs’, the fact that the competition is now in its 25th year highlights just how popular the competition has become.
“We love to push the envelope, have fun and avoid the pretensions that sometimes afflict other more serious art competitions. The satirical side of this event has its basis in the irreverent, larrikin Australian comic comment, and the finalists this year have been fortunate to have had so much inspiration to draw from. It’s been a vintage year.”
Dr Schwartz is sponsoring the exhibition of the Bald Archy Prize finalists in Sydney, the Blue Mountains, Newcastle and in Melbourne.
At Leura, it will be open from Wednesday to Sunday, noon to 7pm (to 5pm on Sundays), Entry just $5 (children free).