The Archibald Prize is an annual exhibition eagerly anticipated by artists and audiences alike. It is one of Australia’s favourite and prestigious art awards.

First awarded in 1921,  the Archibald Prize, is granted to artist’s who inventively portray a particular iconic member of Australian culture – from politicians to celebrities, sporting heroes to artists.

The 2015 prizewinner, was Newcastle artist, Nigel Milsom. His painting of Australian Barrister, Charles Waterstreet, not only was artistically stimulating , but possessed an intriguing backstory.
Nigel Milsom has previously won the 2013 Doug Moran National Portrait Prize and the 2012 Sulman Prize, this was his third time winning the Archibald prize .

Milsom knew Mr Waterstreet personally, often visiting the family owned Waterstreet Hotel as a child.  Mr Waterstreet even represented Milsom in the pursuit of justice, restoring his faith in the legal system. Along with being a prominent legal identity, Waterstreet was also a writer and social environmentalist.

Milsom describes his subject as a complex character, whose personnel struggles and demons have not diminished him, yet strengthened him over the years.  He refers to his subject as a great man, who was an otherworldly figure.

The prize wining oil on linen portrait, depicts an abnormally large man. Mr Waterstreet is, portrayed as a mythical creature with overly large hands, deigned to grasp unnatural disasters.

The Archibald Prize 2015, Wynne and Sulman Prizes is currently being displayed at the Art Gallery of NSW from July 18 to September 27 2015.