The Conversation

A very serious painting of Barry Humphries is a welcome prize winner

Author: Joanna Mendelssohn, Associate Professor, Art & Design: UNSW Australia. Editor in Chief, Design and Art of Australia Online, UNSW Australia

Louise Hearman, Barry, oil paint on masonite 69.5 x 100 cm.Photo: © AGNSW, Nick Kreisler

Louise Hearman’s affectionate portrait of Barry Humphries, simply titled “Barry”, is the first major Australian painting to win the Archibald in many years. Even though the subject looks as though he is about to burst into a chuckle, this...

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