See Victorian Artistic Talent at Its Best in the Hidden Faces of the Archibald Exhibition, Exclusively at Hilton Melbourne South Wharf

A wide variety of subjects, styles and techniques showcase in this year's Hidden Faces of the Archibald portrait exhibition featuring comedy, sports and justice among the familiar and more elusive subjects. The display is presented exclusively at the award-winning Hilton Melbourne South Wharf until October 15, 2014.

Now well established in Melbourne's arts calendar and known in art circles as the Victorian Salon des Refusés, Hidden Faces (open exclusively to Victorian artists) unveils 42 exciting and diverse paintings of well-known subjects. These include:

• Sports icon Paul Salmon
• Performers and musicians: 'Coxy'; Bangara dancer Waangenga; comedian Dave Grey; drummer Doug Falconer and pianist David Ross Smith
• Artists: Godwin Bradbeer, Laurie Collins, Donald Ramsay and Joseph Zhubvic
• Writers: Alex Miller and Elliot Pearlman; literary agent Jenny Darling and journalist Giles Parkinson
• Film directors: Fred Schepisi and Richard Bence
• Politicians: Ted Baillieu and Joan Kirner AM
• Judiciary: The Hon. Tony Pagone, Geoffrey Robertson QC and Dr. Gregory Lyon QC

“This year's excellent collection of contemporary portraits on display continues the tradition established by the hotel to present a showcase of Victorian artistic brilliance. The consistent high quality of these contemporary works enhances the profile of Hilton Melbourne South Wharf”, said Brett Christ, General Manager, Hilton Melbourne South Wharf.

“We are delighted to host the 2014 Hidden Faces of the Archibald exhibition," curator/manager of Hidden Faces, Jacqueline Taylor OAM said. “An exciting array of portraits awaits the viewer in the 2014 Hidden Faces exhibition. There is something new and different each year and, now in its thirteenth year, it continues to bring to the spotlight the amazing portraiture talent in Victoria. The prestigious Hilton Melbourne South Wharf is the perfect location to exhibit these outstanding works by Jacquie Blight, Jim van Geet, Ursula Theinert, Andrew Sibley, Polly Ifould, Annie On Lee, Hong Fu, Dawn Stubbs, Ross Cockel and Vicki Sullivan to name a few.”

Hidden Faces exhibition follows in the long tradition of the French Impressionists of the 1860's who held a breakaway exhibition from the reactionary French Academy. In the inaugural Salon des Refusés, held in 1864 by command of Napoleon III, the exhibits included works by the acclaimed artists Edmund Manet and Paul Cezanne. Visitors to the exhibition are invited to enter the People's Choice Award and vote for their personal favourite with prizes provided by the Hilton Melbourne South Wharf.

Visitors to the exhibition are invited to enter the People's Choice Award and vote for their personal favourite with prizes provided by the hotel.

WHAT: THE 2014 HIDDEN FACES OF THE ARCHIBALD

WHERE: Lobby, Hilton Melbourne South Wharf, 2 Convention Centre Place, South Wharf 3006

WHEN: Until 15 October 2014

COST: Free of charge – open all day every day

For more information visit, www.hiltonmelbourne.com.au.

To view a selection of this year's artworks, watch this short video.