Medium: Graphite & coloured pencil
Size: 540mm x 370mm
UPDATE 15 February: Pat, pat, pat, pat.....that's the sound of a drum roll being reversed. The blowing of my own trumpet was apparently premature and Mug Punter #1 did not make the Bald Archy preview show. I received an email today saying that due to the unprecedented number of entries not all entries could be exhibited. Hence, the Mug Punter #1 has now been consigned to the dustbin of art competition history.
Disappointed is how I feel, but not as disappointed as having misled you my dear reader, for that I apologise. I feel like a right royal goose (or Psychotic Turkey). However, unlike the actual Mug Punter #1, I fess up when I fuck up! That said I will continue on with the Mug Punter series because it's a fun and cool thing to do. Anyone know what the etiquette is for the comments on this entry? Delete them? Keep them? ....gotta run the buzzer on my oven went off, my humble pie is ready.
Drum roll please...Mug Punter #1 a satirical drawing of our (Australia's) esteemed Prime Minister, the Right Honourable John Howard MP has been selected as an entrant for the 2006 Bald Archy Prize....well the Preview Exhibition anyway at the Museum of the Riverina in Wagga Wagga [Feb 17 ñ Mar 19], before embarking on a national tour of the finalists (fingers crossed that Iím one of them) which includes Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra. Not true see Update above.
So what is the Bald Archy Prize?
It was created in 1994, by Peter Batey, as a spoof of that more serious competition, the Archibald Prize (Australiaís greatest portrait prize). Itís irreverent, witty, crazy and ëjust for funí. Itís the only art competition in the world supposedly judged by a sulphur-crested cockatoo, named Maude! And it is now regarded as the alternative competition to the Archibald Prize, attracting ever-increasing numbers of fans to its annual showings. To boot the prize money is donated by a debt collection agency.
The Bald Archy is proudly regarded its creator as the ìevent that art snobs love to hate.î Under the esteemed patronage of Dame Edna Everage, the Bald Archy, now in its lucky 13th year, continues to take the Archibald prescription of portraiture and prominent Australians and to throw in some humour and a good dose of satire into the mix. As a result the entries range from the hilarious to the bizarrely vulgar, and run the gamut of dark satire, light comedy and/or caricature.
Last year's Bald Archy exceeded all previous attendance records in its regional tour and for the first time travelled to Melbourne after its annual Sydney season.
Iím thrilled (as is the Mug Punter) to be even a small part of it all...maybe even a big part of it, time will tell. Time has told me that I was a miniscule part of it.
Conceptual Stuff
Well the inspiration(?) for this drawing, and indeed the series I'm planning, is my continuing rage against the system. I just have to face it and acknowledge that my views on social justice and high expectations of a modicum of honesty from our elected officials is not a view held by my fellow Australians. What better way to get my own back than do some satirical drawings, at least it's cathartic for me and releases pent up rage. The whole series combines portraits of political scallywags (make that ratbags), some form of gambling-related paraphenalia, and hats (ill-fitting in this case).
The theme really is gambling with our future. By the way "Mug Punter" is a term that is used to describe hopeless gamblers, in this series it applies as equally to the portrait subjects as it does to the voting public. The hats in the main will be gangster style, no subtlety of meaning there, and ill-fitting nature of them adds additional poignancy.
I'm drawing on smoother paper than usual and the paper is half the size that I usually use. I think the paper is making me draw with even more realism than I usually do. I'm pleased with this drawing from a technical perspective -
the glasses
and hand drawn betting ticket (in coloured pencil no less)
apologies about the fuzziness of these photos.
It's a passable likeness of the "great" Mug Punter himself. I will be using red as a common element across the series it goes with the theme "in the red" which has both negative punting and accounting connotations.
The Quaddie ticket - where you must pick the winner of 4 nominated races - in this case reflects the fact that John Howard has won 4 terms thus far. That's more than enough in my view, the other thing about the Quaddie is that it is extraordinarily hard to win, voters must feel the same way. In fact this ticket has been marked cancelled and if submitted a refund would be obtained - oh to be so lucky in the real body politik.
In relation to the rest of the series Mug Punter #2 is in the can already, Mug Punters #3,4 and 5 are conceived and just need to be drawn. In the meantime you can cogitate and ruminate over the meaning of Mug Punter #1. <<Older Main Newer>>
comments
Congratulations Detlef!!!!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!
Getting into the Bald Archy is NOT simple! Excellent depiction of the Simpleton
Posted by Anonymous on 11.02.06 at 04.47pm
Very well work!The drawing is really alive…Great job!
Posted by marc on 11.02.06 at 06.48pm
Don’t know much about politics down under but I love the illo! Good luck with the bald archy!
love
Posted by The Unknown on 11.02.06 at 06.57pm
Well done that man! I shall be crossing fingers, legs and eyes and thinking good thoughts (whilst careening about more than usual) to your success in the competition (and researching Maude-friendly bribes lol). Fantastic - no wonder you’re so proud and excited - superbly executed and thought out.
Posted by Elaine on 11.02.06 at 07.43pm
Wow - congratulations on being accepted!
And I’m glad I guessed politician when you just showed the eyes…
Your drawing is amazing.
Posted by Caroline on 11.02.06 at 08.19pm
Anything but simple, however done with much wit.
Since Canada has just elected what appears to be a John Howard wouldbe, mercifully with a minority government (our perpetually reigning Liberal party having taken itself by the neck and thrown itself out of office) I understand your rant all to well.
Regards,
Neil
Posted by neilornstein on 11.02.06 at 11.56pm
Absolutely gorgeous pencil work!! WOW!
Posted by TeriC on 12.02.06 at 01.39am
This has me jumping up and down in my seat with glee. I wish Canada had an equivalent competition. If we did I’d end my moratorium on portratiture/life drawing just to enter and flex my political muscle, weak though it may be, being something of a rage against the system type meself. The portrait is great as a stand-alone without the political message, so it really works. (BTW I also considered using the ‘simpleton’ idea for this topic, but shoes are easier to draw and I’m inherently lazy…) Thanks for the smile, Detlef.
Posted by andrea on 12.02.06 at 02.17am
hey there detlef, congrats on getting that far, and I’m sure you will go all the way.
(even though the work sends a shiver down my spine and it’s not a good feeling, and I’ve escaped already, sort of)
It’s a damn fine likeness and a really weird effect overall. I like it.
anyhow I’m keeling over from the day’s exertions and it’s only 8 pm, I’ll come back soon. but for now I’m off for a kip.
pip pip
keep up the good work.
regards
scott
Posted by scott hollingsworth on 12.02.06 at 05.14am
I want to add for International guests it’s a HUGE honour to be in the Preview Exhibition which many only dream of their whole lives!! *really, really excited*
Posted by Anonymous on 12.02.06 at 06.45am
Really impressive work! I love it!!!
Posted by valgalart on 12.02.06 at 07.07am
Excellent detail and technique!!
Posted by AscenderRisesAbove on 12.02.06 at 08.35am
Agree with my fellow Canadian friends. Our prime is a tw…...!it…! Love the illo! And so glad it’s not you…. (teehee)...
Posted by Merlinprincesse on 12.02.06 at 04.25pm
Congratulations, and great work! I was wrong in my guess a coupla week’s ago. Those eyes reminded me of our Vice President Dick Cheney’s eyes. In fact, looking at the whole drawing, there are a lot of similarities in the two men… Politically, too? Hope not.
Posted by Twisselman on 13.02.06 at 02.37am
You are quite amazing!
Posted by carla on 13.02.06 at 05.41am
Your skill is mesmerizing.
good luck in the Bald Archy
Posted by hardwax on 13.02.06 at 06.59am
Can’t wait to see a series of these portraits. And that ticket was drawn? I really thought you had collaged it in. Beautiful.
Posted by janey on 13.02.06 at 10.36am
If you ever come to America, I seriously hope you will be close enough that I can visit you for a lesson.
I don’t leave messages often here, because I don’t know how many ways I can say you are the best I’ve ever seen.
You keep giving me something to work for.
Big Harry
Posted by Big Harry H on 13.02.06 at 01.49pm
as always Detlef your work completely amazes! and that’s the impression just from seeing it on the internet which I know doesn’t do your pencil shadings justice at all, those lucky many who get to see your work in the Preview Exhibition, wish’d I was one, how I’‘d like to see this for real! Congrats to you!!
Posted by Cin on 14.02.06 at 01.44am
bravo bravo! congratulations! your work is amazing. i’m really excited for you!
Posted by catnapping on 14.02.06 at 05.54pm
Yay, Detlef!!!! Another prizewinner! Hey, this idea of working a bit smaller may be a great one for you——and for us who don’t like to wait decades between each Detlefian masterpiece :D. I agree with the person who said it looks a bit like our diabolical vice president Cheney. Except your guy doesn’t have a twisted, snarling mouth. I’m happy for you and your accomplishment!
Posted by Laura on 14.02.06 at 08.55pm
Detlef, do not be deterred by not achieving a place in the show. Your work is marvelous, even though I don’t know enough about down under politics to judge its relationship to the individual. Your statement may not get made where you wanted it to be, but I feel confident that a work as well thought out as this will find its voice.
Posted by ottoblotto on 15.02.06 at 09.18pm
BLAH! KEEP them .... WE all think you are an artist genius!
Posted by Anonymous on 17.02.06 at 07.01pm
This series has a better purpose just waiting .... can feel it!
Posted by Anonymous on 18.02.06 at 11.19am