Vincent Namatjira wins this year’s Archibald Prize, first Aboriginal artist in 99 years
In a timely re-addressing of history, an Aboriginal artist has won the 2020 Archibald prize, with Filipino-Australian Marikit Santiago taking out the Sulman, and Aboriginal artist Hubert Pareroultja, the Wynne.
Detail, Vincent Namatjira’s winning painting of footballer Adam Goodes, 2020 Archibald Prize winner.
The media mosh-pit for the Archibald Prize was understandably smaller this year, void of the rampant frenzy of cameras clicking, with strict social distancing measures in place and restricted numbers making for a more sober tone to the usual manic mayhem.
The upside is that a livestreamed announcement of the winners of the 2020 Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prize joined a string of firsts.
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
