Julia Gutman wins Archibald with Montaigne portrait
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Loading... - Jasmine Taylor
- 05 May 2023
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Sydney artist Julia Gutman has become one of the youngest winners of the Archibald Prize after her portrait of singer-songwriter Jessica Cerro, better known as Montaigne, took out the 2023 competition.
The winning work, titled Head in the sky, feet on the ground, was made from oil, found textiles and embroidery on canvas, and beat 56 other finalists for the $100,000 prize.
Just 29 years old, Gutman will probably find it hard to keep her feet on the ground after the win. She also becomes the 11th woman to do so.
When Art Gallery of New South Wales director Michael Brand phoned to tell her the news, she was elated.
"Shocked, dumbfounded but very happy. It's honestly completely surreal. I'm so grateful to be working at a time when young female voices are heard," Gutman said.
The artist has been friends with Montaigne for years, having lived in an inner-city share house with the singer, and said they both like to experiment rather than stick to tradition.
The artwork is influenced by Austrian expressionist Egon Schiele, specifically his divisive piece Seated Woman with Legs Drawn Up, which challenged gender norms of the early 20th century. Read More..
