Bald Archy is back

Published on 03 August 2023

Australia’s premier satirical art prize, the Bald Archy Prize, is back at the Corowa Art Space from 8 September to 8 October.

The famous and infamous personalities were plentiful among the 22 finalists, but in the end, Albo, Scomo, Dutton, George Pell, Gina Rinehart, Ash Barty, Costa and even King Charles failed to take the crown in this year’s hard-fought competition. The winner, instead, went to a portrait by Marty Steel of the founder of the Bald Archy Prize, Peter Batey who passed away in 2019.

Created in 1994 as a spoof of that more serious competition, the Bald Archy Prize provides artists of all styles and standards with a genuine opportunity, ranging from the hilarious to the bizarrely vulgar, to create portrait paintings of humour, dark satire, light comedy, or caricature. After the passing of Peter, the administration of the Bald Archy Prize was handed over to the Museum of the Riverina, Wagga Wagga.

Now known internationally as the only art competition in the world to be judged by a sulfur-crested cockatoo named Maude, the satirical side of this event has its basis in the irreverent, larrikin Australian comic comment, with great appeal to people from all walks of life, the reason why the exhibition of finalists keeps breaking attendance records wherever it is shown.

Entry cost for adults is $5.00 and children are free. Group bookings are welcome.

Find out more about the Bald Archy exhibition at the Corowa Art Space from 8 September - 8 October 2023. Open Monday - Friday 10 am - 4 pm, Saturday & Sunday from 10 am to 2 pm.

Tour dates and locations, and more about the history of The Bald Archy Prize can be found at baldarchy.com.au