Studio A has achieved great success in the 2022 iteration of Australia’s honourable Archibald and Sulman prizes. With a total of five artists being recognised as finalists, this has been a record number of inclusions from the studio. Individually, this represents each artist's long-time dedication to their art profession, and collectively, a sweeping achievement for NSW’s only supported studio for artists with intellectual disability.
Catherine McGuiness and Meagan Pelham exhibited as Archibald finalists for the first time this year. McGuiness painted artist Rosie Deacon in a work called Rosary and the Seagull which encapsulates Deacon’s colour-filled world. Sittings for the painting involved Deacon dressing up in various costumes and McGuiness capturing her essence through art.
Meagan Pelham’s entry Romance is LOVE depicts a beautiful dreamscape with Romance Was Born co-founder and designer Anna Plunkett at its centre. Having collaborated extensively over the past years with the iconic Australian fashion label, the portrait reflects Pelham and Plunkett's shared inspirations - emblems of romance and beauty. The mixed mediums of watercolour, gouache and acrylic paint succeed to achieve an ethereal quality for the work.
Emily Crockford and Thom Roberts secured second-time placements as finalists in the prestigious Archibald Prize. Crockfords acrylic work is a warm statement of friendship, painting her close friends and Studio A colleagues; CEO Gabrielle Mordy and Principal Artist, Emma Johnston. She titled the work The Pattern in the Mountains of Studio A, Best Friends Emma and Gabrielle, and focused carefully on intricate pattern work painted in vivid colour.
Thom Roberts selected Shelly Simpson, CEO, designer and founder of mud Australia, as his subject for the competition. Referring to her as “Rachey”, Rachey in the Mirror was a smaller scale piece, painted on a ceramic surface sourced from the mud studio with gouache, acrylic and resin. Unconventionally representing Simpson, her face is painted with four eyes and a foot for a nose.
Victoria Atkinson - placed as a finalist in the 2021 Archibald Prize - exhibits again this year, this time as a finalist for the Sulman Prize. Angel Mum, Noel Humphrey is a deeply symbolic work that memorialises Aktinson’s late mother. Painted on plywood, the work is installed with a surrounding glow of neon light, representative of Atkinson's mother’s shining spirit.
Studio A CEO and Artistic Director Gabrielle Mordy exclaimed that “Studio A is bursting with pride” at the achievements of the five artists.
Words: Anna McKey
