CRAIG RUDDY'S PORTRAIT DAVID GULPILIL - TWO WORLDS
wins the People's Choice for the 2004 Archibald Prize
- only the second time in 16 years the public has agreed with the judges -
6 May 2004
60,133 people voted in this year's People's Choice for the Archibald Prize. This is a record number of votes in a People's Choice.
By 5pm yesterday (Wednesday) approximate 88,000 people had visited this year's exhibition. The highest number of visitors to an Archibald exhibition in recent years was 98,349 in 2001 when Nicholas Harding won with his portrait John Bell as King Lear. It is quite possible that a new record number of visitors may be set this year - the Archibald, Wynne, Sulman and Citigroup Private Bank Australian Photographic Portrait Prize exhibitions close on Sunday 16 May.
This year's winner of the People's Choice received 11,455 votes - approximately 4,000 ahead of the next most popular choice.
In the 16 years since the People's Choice was first awarded, the prize has only once coincided with the Trustee Judges selection. That was in 1988, the year the first People's Choice was announced and Fred Cress' portrait of fellow artist John Beard won both prizes.
For only the second time in the history of the People's Choice, the public and the judges agree - the winner of the 2004 People's Choice for the Archibald Prize is
Craig Ruddy for his portrait David Gulpilil - Two Worlds
Craig will be presented with $2500 for winning the People's Choice.
Each year a voter for the Archibald painting which receives the most votes is selected to win $2,500. Udi de Waard from Sydney voted for Craig Ruddy's David Gulpilil � Two Worlds. Her entry was selected from all who had voted for Craig's painting. Commenting on why she voted for this painting, Udi said "It is such a big painting and I approached it in parts, taking it in from the wildness of David's hair and the depth of his eyes. Then slowly appreciating the whole painting. It has such wisdom and presence."
Press releases on the Archibald Prize, winners and
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