blak douglas wins the the 2022 Archibald Prize

13 May 2022

Congratulations to five-time finalist Blak Douglas for winning the 2022 Archibald Prize with his portrait of fellow artist and friend, Wiradjuri woman, Karla Dickens.

‘Spiritually, we all know that Mother Earth is angry at us,’ says Blak Douglas, a Sydney-based artist with Dhungatti heritage. His portrait of Wiradjuri artist Karla Dickens, who lives on Bundjalung Country in Lismore, is a metaphor for the disastrous floods that hit northern NSW in early 2022. Its title references the 1851 novel Moby Dick, by Herman Melville. Douglas says, ‘Karla is Moby – a strong, prized figure pursued by foreign combatants.’

Douglas often uses flat-bottomed clouds as a symbol in his work, representing what he calls the ‘false ceiling of government’. There are 14 of them in this painting, indicating the number of days and nights that the first deluge lasted in February.

‘The story of Noah’s Ark comes to mind,’ says Douglas. ‘One would think that a devoutly religious prime minister might take significantly more note of the community’s desperate call for assistance.’

The Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prize Exhibition is on show at the Art Gallery of NSW from 14 May to 28 August.

 

Image: Blak Douglas with fellow N\H artist, Kim Leutwyler delivering their paintings to the Art Gallery of NSW in late March.  Image courtesy: Sydney Morning Herald

Media

NICHOLAS BLOWERS WINS THE 2024 GLOVER PRIZE FOR LANDSCAPE PAINTING

11 March 2024

Congratulations to Nicholas Blowers, winner of the 2024 Glover Prize, one of Australia's most prestigious art prizes.

 

Read more
Media

'Canvas as Sanctum' by Joe Frost for Artist Profile features Stephanie Eather's recent N\H solo 'From Vernon Terrace'

11 March 2024

Stephanie Eathers work from her Project Space exhibition 'From Vernon Terrace' is reviewed by writer Joe Frost alongside painters Norma Napanangka and Maximilian Daniels, for Artist Profile.

Read more
NH Event

Caroline Zilinsky survey exhibition on show at University Gallery, Newcastle University—28 Feb - 20 Apr

26 February 2024

The University Gallery at Newcastle University is exhibiting a major survey show of artist, Caroline Zilinsky from 28 February to 20 April, 2024. Join the artist for a launch event on Saturday 16 March.

Read more
12 - 14 Meagher Street Chippendale, NSW 2008
Opening Hours
Monday to Friday, 9.00am - 5.30pm Saturday, 11am - 4pm Closed Public Holidays (and Easter Saturday)