With Pop Masters clearing out after a successful – and very colourful – season at HOTA Gallery, the gallery has some empty spaces on the walls that need to be filled. Enter Archie 100, the gallery’s soon-to-open landmark exhibition that explores the rich history of  the Archibald Prize. In 2021, the Archibald Prize celebrated 100 years of existence, and finally us beachside folk are getting a taste of the Art Gallery of New South Wales’ touring exhibition. The showcase spotlights the captivating stories behind the iconic Archibald Prize, and features a curated selection of iconic portraits of famous Australians from the arts, politics, sports, and entertainment industries, alongside some true-blue heroes. Acting Director, Gallery and Visual Arts, Bradley Vincent says that the exhibition celebrates a century of the most sought-after accolade in Australian art today, as well as highlighting the evolution of Australian portraiture from 1921 to today. “Visitors can witness key moments in time throughout the evolution of the prize over the past century, with each portrait having its own story to tell, while highlighting changes in society, and approaches to portraiture,” Bradley says.

The exhibition, which features works from libraries, galleries and museums across Australia and New Zealand, will also feature pieces from private Australian and international collections – some of which have not been seen in public since first being exhibited in the Archibald Prize. Some of the notable works on display is the striking portrait of Miss M Roberts (Portrait in grey) (1933) by Grace Crowley, John Brack’s Barry Humphries in the character of Mrs Everage (1969) and Wendy Whiteley (2016) by Natasha Bieniek. Among the captivating Archibald Prize-winning self-portraits is Equestrian self-portrait (1987) by former Gold Coaster William Robinson and Brett Whiteley’s Art, life and the other thing (1978). In conjunction with the exhibition, HOTA Gallery will offer guided tours, workshops and a handful of public programs. The exhibition is also accompanied by a comprehensive catalogue that delves into the stories behind the artworks and the remarkable Australians that star in them.

For more information on this must-see exhibition or to buy a ticket, head to the HOTA website.

Image credit: Josonia Palaitis The Honourable John Howard, MP 1979, oil on linen, 186 x 186 cm, Collection of the artist © Josonia Palaitis