Heath Ledgers tormented portrait "Highly Commended" at Archibald Prize (LINK)
March 14th 2008 15:49
Melbourne artist Vincent Fantauzzo has been judged "Highly Commended" in the prestigious Archibald Prize 2008 for his intimate portrait of Heath Ledger simply titled "Heath".
The painting showcases Ledgers complex personality and conflicting character by depicting the notoriously private actor as three separate images. The central, and largest, image is of Ledger, bare-chested, looking straight ahead, appearing pained and exhausted. The two background images are of Ledger wearing humorous expressions, whispering into the ears of his foreground image. Ledger appears tormented by himself in this stunning yet horrificly telling portrait.
The Archibald Prize is awarded by the Art Gallery of NSW in the terms of the will of the late J.F. Archibald dated 15 March 1916, to the best portrait “preferentially of some man or woman distinguished in Art, Letters, Science or Politics, painted by any artist resident in Australasia during the 12 months preceding the date fixed by the Trustees for sending in the Pictures”. Portraits may be painted in any medium, for example, oil, acrylic, watercolour or mixed media. Portraits submitted for the Archibald Prize must be painted from life, the artist must complete the statutory declaration on the entry form and the subject/sitter must also provide a written statement that he/she sat for the portrait.
Ledger sat for Fantauzzo on his last visit home to Perth, Australia in December during a break in the actors hectic schedule. Fantauzzo had been meaning to paint the actor's portrait for three years, but was only just able to do it right before Ledgers tragic death. Fantauzzo flew to Perth during the Christmas break to paint Ledger at his family home, and completed the painting in Melbourne at his Docklands studio.
Fantauzzo put the finishing touches on his painting on a Tuesday and the next day, the Wednesday, he found out Heath Ledger (28) had been found dead in his New York apartment. Fantauzzo reportedly regarded Heath as an inspiring and remarkable friend, son, and father, and a person who was very positive about the future.
The paint was barely dry on this immortalized image of Ledger in Australia while half way across the world the real life of this talented actor was coming to an end. In those last hours Heath was alone with himself much like the portrait suggests when an accidental overdose of prescription drugs snuffed out the troubled star. Find out what drugs killed Heath Ledger CLICKHERE
Full story reference The Daily Telegraph
Other famous subjects this year included musicians Sarah Blasko, Neil Finn, and Red Symons with the winner being a self portrait by artist Del Kathryn Barton titled "You are what is most beautiful about me, a self portrait with Kell and Arella"
The painting showcases Ledgers complex personality and conflicting character by depicting the notoriously private actor as three separate images. The central, and largest, image is of Ledger, bare-chested, looking straight ahead, appearing pained and exhausted. The two background images are of Ledger wearing humorous expressions, whispering into the ears of his foreground image. Ledger appears tormented by himself in this stunning yet horrificly telling portrait.
The Archibald Prize is awarded by the Art Gallery of NSW in the terms of the will of the late J.F. Archibald dated 15 March 1916, to the best portrait “preferentially of some man or woman distinguished in Art, Letters, Science or Politics, painted by any artist resident in Australasia during the 12 months preceding the date fixed by the Trustees for sending in the Pictures”. Portraits may be painted in any medium, for example, oil, acrylic, watercolour or mixed media. Portraits submitted for the Archibald Prize must be painted from life, the artist must complete the statutory declaration on the entry form and the subject/sitter must also provide a written statement that he/she sat for the portrait.
Ledger sat for Fantauzzo on his last visit home to Perth, Australia in December during a break in the actors hectic schedule. Fantauzzo had been meaning to paint the actor's portrait for three years, but was only just able to do it right before Ledgers tragic death. Fantauzzo flew to Perth during the Christmas break to paint Ledger at his family home, and completed the painting in Melbourne at his Docklands studio.
Fantauzzo put the finishing touches on his painting on a Tuesday and the next day, the Wednesday, he found out Heath Ledger (28) had been found dead in his New York apartment. Fantauzzo reportedly regarded Heath as an inspiring and remarkable friend, son, and father, and a person who was very positive about the future.
The paint was barely dry on this immortalized image of Ledger in Australia while half way across the world the real life of this talented actor was coming to an end. In those last hours Heath was alone with himself much like the portrait suggests when an accidental overdose of prescription drugs snuffed out the troubled star. Find out what drugs killed Heath Ledger CLICKHERE
Fantauzzo said he felt privileged to have worked with Ledger.
"Heath was a very private person, which is one of the reasons I was so honoured that he allowed me to paint him," Fantauzzo told reporters.
"He was so easy and professional to work with. He didn't need any direction, (he was) absolutely focused. Once done, he was back to his usual charismatic self."
"Heath was a very private person, which is one of the reasons I was so honoured that he allowed me to paint him," Fantauzzo told reporters.
"He was so easy and professional to work with. He didn't need any direction, (he was) absolutely focused. Once done, he was back to his usual charismatic self."
Full story reference The Daily Telegraph
Other famous subjects this year included musicians Sarah Blasko, Neil Finn, and Red Symons with the winner being a self portrait by artist Del Kathryn Barton titled "You are what is most beautiful about me, a self portrait with Kell and Arella"
| 75 |
| Vote |
Add To: 
Subscribe to this blog
Comment by katyzzz
Photography Tips
Health Focus
Poetry Lighthouse
MS Paint Art