Kiss of death for Archibald hopes, but artist leaves with a smile
Artist Andrea Huelin and with comedian Cal Wilson and her Archibald Packing Room Prize portrait at the Art Gallery of NSW, Sydney Thursday, April 27, 2023. (AAP Image/Nikki Short)
The painting, titled Clown Jewels, shows Wilson in an armchair with her trademark dyed pink hair, and a multicoloured crown of baubles and small dolls.
The $3000 award is open to all entries in the prestigious Archibald portrait prize, and is chosen by the gallery staff who receive, unpack and hang the entries. However the Packing Room prize has never gone on to win the coveted Archibald.
This year for the first time the winner was chosen by a committee of three packing room staffers – Timothy Dale, Monica Rudhar and Alexis Wildman – who each got an equal say in the selection.
Wildman said the work jumped out at the packers as soon as it arrived at the gallery.
“The bright colours really popped, and we immediately recognised Cal as a familiar face,” she said.
“This is a great, joyful portrait of someone who has brought so much laughter to Australia.”
Based in Cairns, Huelin is one of 57 Archibald finalists this year.
Now in its 32nd year, the Packing Room Prize was first awarded in 1991.
The Archibald Prize winner will be announced on May 5.
