The Archibald Prize is on again and with the winners of the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes announced on Friday the 13th, the exhibition is open now at the Art Gallery of NSW.

Curator Anne Ryan chats to Arts Wednesday about the judging process, the annual controversy and of course the art. This year sees a record number of indigenous artists participating in the Prizes.

This year’s Archibald winner is entitled Moby Dickens by artist Blak Douglas. The sitter is Karla Dickens, an artist friend of Douglas’s who is portrayed looking very angry in the aftermath of the Lismore floods. A very topical choice for a winner with the theme playing into the current Federal election.

Anne Ryan tells of her curatorial process to bring the 51 winners across the three Prizes into some sort of enjoyable and coherent experience for the visitor.

The Sulman winner is by Nicholas Harding entitled Eora (above) referencing the name the original Sydney inhabitants gave to the land they live upon.

The exhibition runs until 28 August and then tours regional NSW. Tickets and more information here.

Playwright and actor Jamila Main brings their immersive theatre experience, Benched, to the Darlinghurst Theatre Company. We can expect an intimate performance that ruminates on athleticism within a disabled body offering audiences multiple ways to engage with the work. You can join Jamila on the bench, watch from the audience or stream live or later via Zoom.

Season runs May 25-29. Tickets and more here.

Arts Wednesday 18 May 2022

1030-1200

eastsidefm.org/artswednesday

DAB+