AustLit

'I resisted the siren song for years. As a stern Melburnian even while living and working in Sydney, I forever dismissed the Archibald portrait competition as just another Tinsel Town self-indulgence: Sydney celebrities posing for celebrity portraits by celebrity artists; to be tolerated but not indulged.' (Introduction)

'Jaq Grantford’s portrait of the beloved actor and former Play School presenter wins $5,000 prize decided by the public.'

'When two artists enter the 1943 Archibald Prize, a scandal erupts that grips not only the art world, but the nation. A poignant love story with shattering consequences, inspired by real-life events.

''Is that what you want to do? Peer into my soul and capture my flaws, for all to see?'

'As World War II draws to a close, Australian society is still deeply conservative. Homosexuality is illegal and the scourge of Modernism is infecting Australian art.

'When William Dobell paints a portrait of lover and fellow artist Joshua Smith, he is awarded Australia's most prestigious art prize. However, Dobell's celebration is cut short after a protest is lodged by his competitors, who claim the painting is a caricature. Both artist and sitter soon find themselves in the glare of the spotlight when a court case to determine the matter turns into a public spectacle.

'Bill and Joshua's relationship is put under pressure and at risk of being exposed as they are caught in a world where they must choose between love and art—between acceptance and exile.' (Publication summary)

''You're a politician, a public figure. What on earth were you thinking?'

'Up-and-coming junior minister Gregory Buchanan has had a portrait painted of himself by the acclaimed artist Sophie White - a painting she intends to enter in this year's Archibald Prize. Until then, Gregory has hung it in pride of place on his dining-room wall. It's a life-sized standing portrait, practically photographic in nature. And it's a nude.

'His wife will be home soon and he thinks the painting will be a pleasant surprise. Even more surprising will be an unexpected accumulation of guests- his sardonic mother, his fundamentalist mother-in-law, his lycra-clad cycling-enthusiast sister, and the state premier, Louisa Wetherly - a senior minister has just resigned in scandalous circumstances, and she needs Gregory to step into the spotlight ahead of the coming election.

'It's going to be a wild afternoon, and an even wilder campaign - to do something about Gregory's naked ambition.' (Publication summary)

'Artist Jeremy Eden has won the Archibald Prize People's Choice Award with a portrait of actor Samuel Johnson.'