Art Almanac congratulates Sydney-based artist Julia Gutman, winner of the Archibald Prize 2023, Australia’s annual $100,000 portraiture art prize for painting, with her portrait of singer-songwriter Montaigne, Head in the sky, feet on the ground.
At twenty-nine years old, Gutman is one of the youngest artists to win the Archibald Prize; she is also the eleventh woman to have won since its inception in 1921. In addition, Montaigne is the first female musician to be the subject of an Archibald-winning portrait.
Gutman is a multidisciplinary artist, reusing textiles to produce painted patchworks to merge personal and collective histories to explore themes of femininity, intimacy and memory.
Winner Archibald Prize 2023, Julia Gutman, Head in the sky, feet on the ground, oil, found textiles and embroidery on canvas, 198 × 213.6cm. © the artist. Photograph: © Art Gallery of New South Wales, Jenni Carter
Upon hearing she won the Archibald Prize, Gutman said:
“I’m so elated and overwhelmed to have won. Shocked, dumbfounded, but very happy. It’s honestly completely surreal. I’m so grateful to be working at a time when young female voices are heard.”
The artist adds:
“So much of my practice is devoted to revisiting, critiquing and contending with the histories housed in institutions. It’s so affirming for that conversation to be recognised in such a public way.
“Montaigne and I have been friends for a few years and there is a lot of alignment in our practices; we are both interested in creating our own forms and approaches rather than strictly adhering to any one tradition.
“Montaigne’s work defies genres, while her mercurial soprano has become an indelible part of the fabric of Australian music.”
Art Gallery of New South Wales director Michael Brand said:
“Like many contemporary artists, Julia is interested in the expanded field of painting. In this remarkable tender portrait of a young musician who is making her way in a tough business, we see an intimacy and vulnerability that is truly compelling. I congratulate Julia on creating this magnificently worthy winner.”
All finalists in the Archibald, Wynne, and Sulman Prizes 2023 will be exhibited at AGNSW from 6 May to 3 September 2023.
The Archibald Prize will travel to six venues in Victoria and regional New South Wales, offering audiences outside Sydney the opportunity to see the finalists in the Archibald Prize 2023:
Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery | 15 September to 5 November 2023
South East Centre for Contemporary Art | 18 November 2023 to 7 January 2024
Goulburn Regional Art Gallery | 19 January to 2 March 2024
Hawkesbury Regional Gallery | 15 March to 28 April 2024
Tamworth Regional Gallery | 11 May to 23 June 2024
Glasshouse Port Macquarie | 5 July to 18 August 2024
