Carey Senior School Archibald award: A portrait tells a thousand words!

At Carey this year, we have celebrated connectiveness through the interaction of a portrait. On Wednesday 18 May the Senior School art and literature assembly commemorated the inaugural Carey Archibald award. The Archibald Prize is an Australian portraiture art prize, often considered to be the most prestigious portrait prizes in Australia. The prize has galvanised public opinion, interest, and attracts inevitable controversy across the country like no other art event. Established in 1919, it is Australia’s longest running art prize. The prize was named after Mr J F Archibald, an eccentric individual who was born in Geelong, Victoria in 1856.

The Carey Senior School Art leadership team decided to emulate the prize by allowing the students to participate in a smaller scale version of this prestigious award. The award celebrates the creativity of our Senior School artists and provides a framework for the celebration of their talents. It invites students to enter a portrait of staff member/senior teacher in our school and for a dialogue and interaction to take place between the student and teacher. Completed works are then judged on their technique, resemblance and approach to the style and subject matter. Some say, a portrait speaks a thousand words!

The Carey Archibald award winner was Pepa, who drew a portrait of her English teacher, Natasha Kovalenko. Pepa also included her English teacher’s signature green strand of hair which creates a joyful feel within the artwork. ‘This artwork inspired me to resume my creative pursuits,’ Pepa remarked.

In second place was talented art and visual communication design student Kevin, who digitally created a portrait of the Senior School Dunshea Mentor, Jodie O’Connor. His artwork emulated the great, fun character of the physics and maths teacher with a bright green jumper to resemble her bubbly personality. ‘Kevin experimented with a new style and had much enjoyment from it,’ Jodie O’Connor commented on the process of Kevin’s portrait.

In third place was Dheer, who photographed and digitally altered our Deputy Head of Senior School, Christian Gregory. Dheer successfully captured the seriousness nature of Gregory’s role as well as the fun and outgoing side of his personality. Dheer also states, ‘you know what they always say, four heads are better than one,’ as he comments of the unique style of his portrait.

Although the genius does not end with these three students. All the other students who participated are incredibly talented, making this such a difficult decision for the judges. We also would like to congratulate our other extremely talented students who participated, Lucy, Jimmy, Katherine and Ada, as well as a huge thank you to all the teachers who participated to be fabulous models. A fantastic new tradition has now commenced in our Senior School, but for the time being please enjoy the Exhibition of the portraits in the Senior School project gallery.

Simon Carver

Leader of Learning – Art and Design