THE BALD ARCHY

It has been praised and pilloried; censored, and yet acclaimed as an act of genius; disapproved due to its contentious comic portraits, but granted royal approval by direct correspondence from Buckingham Palace.

It’s the notorious Bald Archy Prize, noted for its larrikin Aussie sense of humour, and described as a brilliant parody of the more serious Archibald Prize, coming to Newcastle for the first time on its current 25th anniversary tour with a collection of 45 outrageously entertaining portraits of well-known Australians.

The Founder/Director of the event, Peter Batey OAM, has been endeavouring to introduce the annual show to Novocastrians’ for over 20 years without any luck.

“This year we have been blessed by the attainment for the first time of a sponsor, the noted hotelier and philanthropist, Jerry Schwartz.

“His Sydney Brewery is the sponsor of the $10,000 prize and his ownership of Rydges Newcastle Hotel where the exhibition will be shown, fills the missing link of gallery space, as has Sydney’s sparkling new Sydney Sofitel Darling Harbour and the Blue Mountain’s Fairmont Resort. The historic Victoria Hotel, in Melbourne will follow the Newcastle exhibition.”

Newcastle has produced two brilliant satirical artists in Judy Nadin and James Brennan, both of whom have won the Bald Archy several times. ”Due to this generous sponsorship, it is possible”, Peter Batey has said, “to proudly present them and their impressive talents to their own community for the first time – deserved honour.”

Rydges Hotel, Wharf Road
To Saturday 1 September
Open daily 10am – 4pm.
Tuesday 7th August - Saturday 1st September 10:00am - 4:00pm
At Rydges Newcastle - Wharf Rd Newcastle
Cost: Adults $5.00, Children Free
fiona_okpalogu@evt.com
02 4907 5045
http://www.baldarchy.com.au/