Moore in "Beyond first impressions"

Field have accepted my portrait into their upcoming show "Beyond first impressions: What changes once you get to know me".

I'd submitted my painting of Richard Moore because I had admired the way he had stood his ground in authorizing the screening of Jeff Daniel's documentary "10 Conditions of Love" at the 2009 Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF). To me, I felt this was an important reminder to people in Australia that we are lucky to have as much freedom as we do in this country, and this I felt met the theme criteria of the Field exhibition.

Moore painting publicity.

After not getting into the Archibald earlier this year, my entry of Richard Moore WAS in actual fact selected by the Salon de Refusés, aka Hidden Faces of the Archibald. But for personal reasons I refused the Refusés.

I'd posted the painting on my blog, and shortly there after I was contacted by someone who wanted to do a profile piece on me and my entry of Richard Moore for the RMIT Alumni online newsletter. I was very flattered and accepted the opportunity to share my painting to a wider audience.

(click here to read profile)

Archibald Portrait Prize Submission - Mark Two!

One lesson learnt from last year's submission - paint someone actually known in the Arts, Letters and Sciences and NOT yourself (unless am actually known and highly regarded in one of those areas..... hmmm, obviously not quite yet).

Learning from my mistakes I chose to approach Richard Moore, Executive Director of the Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF), who has been responsible for overseeing operations of Australia’s largest annual film festival from 2006 - 2010. Being a generous man and a man of good humour who indulges a good coffee, he agreed to sit for me.

In 2009 he authorized the screening of Jeff Daniels’ controversial documentary 10 Conditions of Love, a film about the Uyghur activist Rebiya Kadeer. The film was shown in the face of intense pressure from Han Chinese activists, including the Chinese Consulate.

My main motivation for approaching Richard Moore was I admired the way he stood his ground in the screening of 10 Conditions of Love despite pressure inside and outside Australia. Australia is a very privileged country to have the right of free speech and I think Australians should be reminded of this. I call the painting Speak Freely as in, "Permission to speak freely, Sir!" and as Australians.... we can!

Click on picture for a larger image

My entry into the Archibald for 2010 was unsuccessful. Which is only a shame because I so dearly wanted to share the painting's message to live and nation wide audience. I'll admit I'm a little disappointed at the outcome. I'm a little bruised and a little battered, but I'm all the more determined too.

Fingers crossed I may be selected for the Salon de Refusés aka. Hidden Faces of the Archibald.