Read Joanna Mendelssohn’s article from The Conversation about the 2016 Archibald including Michael McWilliams’ The Usurpers (Self Portrait).
“The Tasmanian artist Michael McWilliams’ The usurpers (self portrait) is a magically elaborate study in a similar mode to that of the Italian Renaissance artist Giuseppe Arcimboldo. Every element is an import to Australia. Sheep, cattle, pigeons, carp, trout, rabbits, rats, mice, fruit and grain, all combine to form the artist’s face.
The usurpers hangs at the entrance to the exhibition, a long way from the winner’s circle, but it is probably the painting that most visitors will remember.”
Patchwork, ironic, serious and kitsch: the best of the Archibald finalists