Artist Tim Storrier has been awarded the Packing Room Prize in conjunction with the Archibald Prize 2014 for his portrait of Dr Sir Leslie Colin Patterson KCB AO.
Tim Storrier said: After years of requesting a portrait sitting with Sir Leslie Colin Patterson KCB AO, a suitable gratuity was transacted through his long-time manager, Barry Humphries. Access was granted.
“Saville Row tailors say ‘certain men are moving targets’ and Sir Les is no exception,” said Storrier. “During our long sittings, I attempted to keep him engaged with his tipple and cigarettes.”
“To paint such a dynamic, thrusting personality with the sensitivity that a personage of his flamboyance deserves, I drew on my knowledge of historic portraits of great men of destiny. In portraying our revered elder statesman, retired politician, former chairman of the Cheese Board and our most celebrated cultural ambassador, I found a strange resemblance to Sir Leslie’s manager Humphries.”
“There were subtle technical difficulties in arranging the deportment of Sir Les’s trousers. His pretty, young assistant often strutted into the room and I would have to rearrange the lights so his enthusiasm in her presence was not as pronounced. After the final sitting, his parting words to me were: You are probably not a bad little dauber Timbo but not in the league of the great Pro (Hart).”
Born in Sydney in 1949, Storrier studied at the National Art School and now lives and works in Bowral. Renowned for his mysterious Australian landscapes, he was awarded an Order of Australia (AM) for services to art in 1994. He won the 2012 Archibald Prize with a faceless self-portrait.
The Packing Room Prize gives the Gallery staff who receive the entries for the Archibald a chance to vote for their favourite Archibald portrait. This is the Gallery head storeman Steve Peter’s 32nd Archibald and his 23rd Packing Room Prize. Tim Storrier receives $1000 and a $500 ANZ Visa gift card.
“Art is a vital part of society that opens the mind, encouraging a different way of thinking, and it’s competitions like the Archibald Prize that play an important role in broadening the appeal of the arts,” said David Gonski, Chairman, ANZ.
“On behalf of ANZ, I congratulate Tim Storrier on winning the Packing Room Prize. It’s a worthy winner and I hope many more people are able to enjoy the artist’s work and the rest of the Archibald finalists as they make their way around regional Australia.”
In 2014, the Art Gallery of New South Wales received 884 Archibald, 669 Wynne and 534 Sulman entries, with Finalists being announced and published on the Gallery’s website:
The Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes are major art prizes run by the Art Gallery of New South Wales, and will be on display from Saturday 19 July to Sunday 28 September 2014. For more information, visit: www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au for details.
Image: Detail of Tim Storrier’s portrait of Dr Sir Leslie Colin Patterson KCB AO – courtesy of the Art Gallery of New South Wales