The best of Australian portraiture is coming to Alice. Image: Araluen Arts Centre.
The Archibald Prize is coming to Alice Springs for the first time in the century-long history of the prestigious art competition.
The 2024 exhibition of the prize will feature in the Araluen Arts Centre from 24 April to 15 June, bringing portraits of notable Australians to the nation’s Red Centre.
Showcasing the skills of talented contemporary artists, the display will feature 57 portraits, including the winner of the competition – a painting of author and conservationist Tim Winton by Laura Jones.
Two Central Australian artists, Thea Anamara Perkins and Adrian Jangala Robertson, are among the finalists, bringing an extra element of interest for exhibition visitors as they see the talent of local artists firsthand.
“For Central Australians, this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to see Australia’s most celebrated portraiture exhibition right here in Alice Springs,” Minister for Arts Jinson Charls said.
“We also hope it will encourage visitors to travel to the Red Centre to experience world-class art alongside the region’s rich cultural and natural wonders.”
The exhibition is expected to increase visitation to the Araluen Arts Centre, as previous venues in the regions that have held the exhibition have seen a twofold increase in attendance, generating hundreds of thousands of dollars in ticket sales and more in miscellaneous related economic activity.
In the spirit of celebrating Australian portraiture talent, the Araluen Arts Centre will also host the Young Archie Mparntwe competition, inviting artists aged from five to 18 to submit portraits of someone important to them. Applications are open until 31 March.
Winners in each age category will receive a $50 voucher and their work will be displayed alongside the Archibald paintings.
“I’m also excited to see the talents of young Territorians entering the Young Archie Mparntwe competition,” Mr Charls said.
”I can’t wait to see their hard work and creativity line the walls of the Araluen Arts Centre. Maybe some of them will be future Archibald Prize winners.”
