When artist Victoria Atkinson found out she was a 2021 Archibald Prize finalist she had a mini celebration. “It makes me feel happy and I did a little dance,” Victoria remembers.
The works of artists Victoria Atkinson and Thom Roberts were two of 52 finalists from 938 entries in this year’s centenary exhibition of the Archibald Prize, one of Australia’s most respected art prizes.
The two finalists are represented and supported by Studio A, a social enterprise that paves professional pathways for artists with intellectual disability by providing studio space, mentorship and the tools to be successful and renowned visual artists.
For her entry into the Archibald, Victoria painted the Federal Member for North Sydney, Trent Zimmerman. She titled the piece: Trent mango tree, all the colours of the rainbow, Trent. For the portrait, Victoria used bright colours and energetic linework to capture “rainbow love.”
Shane has been Chair of Studio A since its inception, while Roberts is one of the studio’s founding artists. “I wanted to do a portriff of Adam on a great big canvas. Adam is my friend, like my big brother. I wanted to paint him,” says Thom. Thom titled his entry: A Portriff of Adam (Shane Simpson AM).
Roberts calls Simpson ‘Adam’ rather than Shane. And when asked why he called the portrait ‘a portriff’, he says: “I do it Thom’s way.”
Roberts took photographs and did a series of sketches, using his distinctive style of depicting people with four eyes – another example of ‘Thom’s way.’
Thom says that “Being in the Archibald makes me happy, smiling and proud. I would love to inspire other people to become a famous artist. I would like to be an artist until I am a very old man.”
“I would love more people to buy my paintings and stick them on the wall.”
Studio A is no stranger to the Archibald, with fellow artist Emily Crockford named as a finalist in the 2020 Archibald Prize, while Mathew Calandra has been selected to exhibit in this year’s Sulman Prize.
Both Victoria and Thom’s artwork will be showcased in The Art Gallery of New South Wales until 26 September 2021.
*All photos featured in this article were kindly provided by Studio A.
Want more art stories? We recently caught up with Oliver Mills to discuss his creative pursuits and his pursuit to find great support.