It’s nice to get out of routine and head to a museum once in a while, this time it was The Archibald Prize. As usual it did not disappoint my favourite were by far the artworks that used mixed media and techniques and the artworks that looked so realistic I just wanted to reach into the painting and feel the textures. One painting that had me wanting to do so was ‘Dr Catherine Hamlin AC (MBBS FRCS FRANICOG FRCOG)’ by Sally Ryan, the way Ms. Ryan painted this is quite amazing; the intricate brushwork makes you want to feel the texture of the shawl and the painting is so life like it could almost be a photograph.

Dr Catherine Hamlin AC (MBBS FRCS FRANICOG FRCOG) by Sally Ryan

Another one of my favourites used mixed media to execute their artwork ‘Self-portrait: Morning Bay’ by Joshua Yeldham, used instrument, cane, shells and oil on a carved board. This painting needs to be seen in two ways, from afar and up close; it’s a beautiful artwork and even more beautiful when you get up close and see all the small details and carved sections. A lot of work was done on this artwork and it shows, the different layers build on the image and a texture to the artwork that stand out.

Self-portrait: Morning Bay by Joshua Yeldham

‘Habit de Jardinier’ by Carlo Pagoda had me mesmerized this artwork really stood out for me, Pagoda used permanent marker and oil on stainless steel. There are a lot of little details in this artwork, the body is built of produce, and the juxtaposition of the fine marker work and the warm oils really accentuates the emotion in the subjects face and highlights the produce that adorns his body. I found it very interested that the artist chose to build the body out of produce and greenery and and makes me want to work on designing fresh prints with small details not visible at first, but build to the entire print.

Habit de jardinier by Carlo Pagoda

The Winner of the Archibald Prize 2013 is ‘Hugo’ by Del Kathryn Barton, this artwork really stands out of the crowd; the mix of technique, from water colour, illustrative style and traditional dot painting really won me over, admiring it for a while I kept finding more details to look at. The dot painting technique really stood out for me and gave be great ideas for print inspiration.

Hugo by Del Kathryn Barton

These photos really do not do the artworks justice, I so recommend you go see these for yourself. The exhibition at the Art Gallery NSW is open until the 2^nd of June 2013.

Images from the Art Gallery NSW