Australian artist wins both Archibald and Wynne Prizes in the same year

(AFP PHOTO/Greg WOOD)

Melbourne-based artist Sam Leach became the winner of Australia's oldest and most prestigious art award on Friday, March 26. His striking painting of singer/songwriter Tim Minchin drew the judges' eyes away from the more than 840 other submissions.

Leach was also named the winner of the Wynne Prize for 2010 for his painting Proposal for landscaped cosmos.

It is the second time in history that one artist has won both the Archibald and the Wynne prizes during the same year.

The Archibald Prize was set up by Australian journalist and publisher JF Archibald, whose primary aims were to foster portraiture, support artists and perpetuate the memory of great Australians. Since its inception in 1921 the prize has been awarded to some of Australia's most important artists, including George Lambert, William Dobell and Brett Whiteley.

The Sir John Sulman Prize and the Wynne Prize are held concurrently with the Archibald Prize. The Wynne Prize is awarded to the best landscape painting or to the best example of figure sculpture by an Australian artist. The Sir John Sulman Prize is awarded for the best subject painting or genre painting or mural project by an Australian artist.

The People's Choice award will be announced on Thursday, May 20.

The submissions to the Archibald, Wynne & Sulman Prizes are on view at the Art Gallery of New South Wales until May 30, 2010, before touring through galleries located in NSW, Australia.

June 11 -  July 11- Goulburn Regional Art Gallery
July 22 - August 22 - Wagga Wagga Art Gallery
August 30 - September 24- Tamworth Regional Gallery
October 4 - October 27 - Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery
November 4 - December 5 - Muswellbrook Regional Arts Centre
December 14, 2010 - January 18, 2011 - Shoalhaven City Arts Centre
January 27, 2011 - March 3, 2011 - Albury Art Gallery and Library Museum

http://www.thearchibaldprize.com.au/