I don't believe that Michael Mucci is out to win the Archibald Prize at the Art Gallery of New South Wales with his portrait of Scott Cam titled Working Class Man. I think his goal was specifically to win the Packing Room Prize. Painting Scott Cam, good or bad, would have had to be a shoe-in with the blokes in the Packing Room. But it is a wonderful painting which should have been irresistible to the packers. The packers (these are small 'p' packers - not capital 'P' Packers), who receive the portraits and install them in the gallery, vote for their choice of winner. Although the prize is said to be awarded by the staff, the gallery's storeman, Steve Peters, is the real power in the Packing Room Prize. Since 1991, when the first Packing room prize was given, Steve has held 51% of the vote. My guess is that in 2006, the vote would have been unanimous.
1 comment:
What an interesting post. I've learnt something new.
I think it's quite a good portrait, and I'd have to agree with you on it winning the Packing Room Prize. Very clever.
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