By Jed Lanyon
Visitors to the 2019 Archibald Prize exhibition at TarraWarra Museum of Art have given the People’s Choice award to David Darcy’s portrait of Daisy Tjuparntarri Ward, a respected elder of the Warakurna community and Ngaanyatjarra people of Western Australia.
TarraWarra Museum of Art Director Victoria Lyn congratulated the winning artist and said, “David Darcy’s striking portrait of Daisy Tjuparntarri Ward has clearly captivated visitors’ hearts at this year’s Archibald Prize exhibition at TarraWarra Museum of Art.
“We are delighted to celebrate in this People’s Choice-winning portrait, the focus upon Indigeneity and the talent of some of Australia’s most gifted creatives.”
The Archibald Prize People’s Choice award was first awarded in 1988. Mr Darcy’s portrait was the winner from more than 12,000 votes cast by members of the public who visited the exhibition at TarraWarra.
Mr Darcy is now a double winner in 2019, for having also won the People’s Choice award at the Art Gallery of New South Wales earlier this year.
Presented by the Art Gallery of New South Wales, the annual portrait exhibition provides a snapshot of Australian culture – from musicians and actors to sporting heroes and authors.
Since its inception in 1921, the prize has been awarded to some of Australia’s most celebrated artists including William Dobell, Brett Whiteley and Del Kathryn Barton.
The Archibald Prize 2019 is on display at TarraWarra Museum of Art, 313 Healesville-Yarra Glen Road, Healesville VIC 3777, until 5 November 2019.
