Archibald at Lake Macquarie

Another new experience last night: went to see the Archibald Prize 2008 winner and finalists on display at the Lake Macquarie Art Gallery. I'd never been in to the gallery before, although I have had lunch - and dinner - at the adjacent Awaba House Restaurant. It just has to be one of the most lovely locations on the Lake, with sweeping views down across the grounds to the waterfront which provide a sense of light and space.

Last night was a preview of the Regional Tour of the Archibald Prize exhibition - friends of mine are Friends of the Gallery and so I got a chance to go and as the Gallery Lady said, be without the crowds.

I wonder how crowded it will be? It is a great exhibition space and it was a pleasure to be able to wander around, with not too many other people around, to go back to and look again at some portraits, because another work had raised a question, or someone else had made a comment which made me want to go and look again at a a piece.

The last exhibition I went to was the Turner to Monet at the National Gallery in Canberra, and it was so crowded as to be uncomfortable and difficult and unenjoyable, despite the splendour of the works on display. And I had to pay for that experience - it was not money well spent.

I had to pay for last night too, but it was worth it - the music and wine and the snacks went down well, and so did the little introductory commentaries. One by Caleb Finton a local art lover whose collection will be bequeathed to the Gallery when he 'drops of his perch' as he likes to say. I've met Caleb a number of times through mutual friends, so it was good to hear a bit more of his and his family's story - Awaba House and its grounds were owned by relatives, and he has memories of Sunday lunches and climbing the trees as a boy.

The other commentary was by Leslie Rice, one of the artists in the exhibition. Such a young man, he seemed, but he has three children! This was not the first time he had entered the Archibald, but was the first time he had been selected for the exhibition. He told of going to collect his previous work from the packing room too soon; it was the night of the Prize announcement, and the NSW Art Gallery was busy. He saw an art-school acquaintance across the floor and waved; the acquaintance waved back but as Leslie turned he saw the senior packer waving too. The acquaintance did not remember him, and is now the 'Quartered drawn and hung' subject of Leslie's entry.

Personally, I found his work too dark; literally, not emotionally. Maybe it was the lighting, but it was almost impossible to make out the faint paintwork on the black velvet. Too, too subtle. What I could see was wonderful, but it was a struggle.

My favourite work? Mmmm, that is so difficult to decide - perhaps Rober Boreham's small painting "Dad what a smile" - in part because it is small, but also because of the joy and sunshine it radiates. So much of the rest is sooo serious, sombre, angst-ridden or portentous (not pretentious, although I think there is some of that there too!)