l plater
Tony
Tony by Ben Smith, oil on board.
Ben Smith's subject is artist Tony Albert, whose work engages with Aboriginal and Australian history. Albert is best known for his work re-appropriating kitsch depictions of Aboriginal people, which he calls "Aboriginalia". In 2012, he created a series called "We can be heroes" in response to the police shooting of two Indigenous teenagers.
The painting shows Tony leaning towards the viewer with a quiet strength and defiance. However there is also a sadness and warmth in his eyes. At the first glance, the yellow circle behind his head looks like a halo. This refers to his very difficult and important work examining our past and its impact on today. However, it is also a reference to the sun on the Aboriginal Indigenous flag, and a subtle target, Ben Smith.
2018 Archibald Prize, Art Gallery NSW, Sydney, Australia (Monday 23 July 2018)
Tony
Tony by Ben Smith, oil on board.
Ben Smith's subject is artist Tony Albert, whose work engages with Aboriginal and Australian history. Albert is best known for his work re-appropriating kitsch depictions of Aboriginal people, which he calls "Aboriginalia". In 2012, he created a series called "We can be heroes" in response to the police shooting of two Indigenous teenagers.
The painting shows Tony leaning towards the viewer with a quiet strength and defiance. However there is also a sadness and warmth in his eyes. At the first glance, the yellow circle behind his head looks like a halo. This refers to his very difficult and important work examining our past and its impact on today. However, it is also a reference to the sun on the Aboriginal Indigenous flag, and a subtle target, Ben Smith.
2018 Archibald Prize, Art Gallery NSW, Sydney, Australia (Monday 23 July 2018)