Melbourne artist Peter Wegner wins this year’s Archibald Prize, while in lockdown
As the iconic prize turns 100, a portrait of artist Guy Warren – who also turns 100 this year – has won the 2021 Archibald Prize, while an Aboriginal artist takes the Wynne Prize for the fifth consecutive year.
The 2021 Archibald Winning work by Peter Wegner, Portrait of Guy Warren at 100 (detail). Image supplied courtesy the artist and AGNSW.
Melbourne artist Peter Wegner has taken out Australia’s most celebrated art prize – the Archibald. His painting of fellow artist Guy Warren has been chosen by the Gallery Trustees in a year when both prize and artist celebrate their 100th anniversaries.
With Wegner stuck in Melbourne because of lockdown, he said of his win via video-link: ‘It is so much easier when you have a great face; a great model … to live for a 100 years and still have a sense of purpose, of curiosity.’
Gina Fairley is ArtsHub's Senior Contributor, after 12 years in the role as National Visual Arts Editor. She has worked for extended periods in America and Southeast Asia, as gallerist, arts administrator and regional contributing editor for a number of magazines, including Hong Kong based Asian Art News and World Sculpture News. She is an Art Tour leader for the AGNSW Members, and lectures regularly on the state of the arts. She is based in Mittagong, regional NSW.
Instagram: fairleygina
