Artist Talks Headline Final Two Weeks of Archibald Prize in Maitland

Two Archibald Prize finalists are heading to the Hunter Valley for exclusive artist talks, as the Archibald Prize 2021 Regional Tour continues at Maitland Regional Art Gallery.

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Kathrin Longhurst, whose portrait of Australian musician, Kate Ceberano won her the Packing Room Prize, will host a floor talk at Archibald: After Hours this Friday 25 February from 6.30pm with the Gallery to remain open until 8pm.

Then, on Saturday, she’ll stick around as a guest judge and to announce the winners in four age categories for the Young Archie, launching Saturday 26 February and supported by presenting partner, ANZ.

The Young Archie is a competition for budding Hunter based artists aged 5 to 18 years old, who create portraits of people special to them in their own unique way.

As the exhibition draws to a close next week, the Gallery will remain open for MRAG members after hours on Tuesday 1 March to welcome 2021 Archibald Prize finalist, Mirra Whale and her subject, Ben Quilty for an intimate chat about all things art, portraits, and friendship from 6.00pm.

‘Over the years, Ben has become one of my closest friends,’ says Mirra Whale.

‘He is not one to stop and rest. Compassion, anxiety, reflection and willpower are his driving force.’

Ben Quilty was the winner of the 2011 Archibald Prize with his portrait of artist and former Hunter resident, Margaret Olley, who opened Maitland Regional Art Gallery in 2009 and was a long standing benefactor to the Gallery.

Gallery Director, Gerry Bobsien says the final two weeks of the Archibald Prize 2021 Regional Tour are not to be missed.

‘To bring Australia’s most famous portraiture prize to Maitland has been incredible, we’ve seen such enthusiasm from our community for this event and we’re looking forward to going out with a bang over the next two weeks,’ Bobsien says.

‘Welcoming two of the Archibald Prize finalists to the Gallery for exclusive talks about their portraits will be a special experience, and for the community to be able to hear directly from these artists is an opportunity not to be missed.

‘We’re also really excited about the Young Archie competition. All the artists who have submitted portraits come from local schools and have worked to present a person special to them in their own unique way.

‘It’s an honour to be able to reinforce the significance of art to young, local creatives and have their work on display alongside some of the country’s most influential names and faces.’

For more information and for tickets for each of these talks, visit the Gallery website at mrag.org.au. The Archibald Prize 2021 Regional Tour continues at Maitland Regional Art Gallery until Sunday 6 March.

The Archibald Prize 2021 Regional Tour is an Art Gallery of New South Wales touring exhibitions, generously supported by presenting partner ANZ.