BP Portrait Award 2015

[John Crowther]

Mike,

I didn't see evidence of misogyny (theivery perhaps, though forgivable given the context), but I tend to go easier on Obama these days, thanks to the out and out snarkfest that is the presidential campaign thus far. But to stay more or less on topic, I'd guess that few members of this forum (those left following posts) would argue that in general terms the judging of art competitions is all too frequently inexplicable. I'm reminded of the perhaps apocryphal story about the design competition years ago for the Sydney Opera House. Among the four judges was Eero Saarinen, who couldn't find time until the last minute to travel to Australia and look over the hundreds of entries. Flipping quickly through the stack of renderings, he stopped at what would be the winner and declared, "this is the one." The other three judges didn't find it in themselves to question the choice. Few of us would criticize the ultimate result, but it turned out that as originally designed the building lacked dressing rooms and other amenities necessary for theatrical productions, and from an engineering standpoint would not have stood up.

Perhaps it should have been called a portrait contest for the Sydney Opera House.

[Mike McCarty]

Next time I'll try religion.

I too would not miss Facebook's passing but I'm afraid its here to stay.

PS: I've been in that Sydney opera house.

[Ngaire Winwood]

Hi Mike

As always I have enjoyed your analyses of things.

In this one you have outdone yourself with the portrait of the flowers, I think you will win it for sure. Call it something like 'Me and my new flowers'

Ngaire

[Mike McCarty]

G'day Ngaire,

I was close to your Toowoomba once. I spent a couple of days in Brisbane then on to Sydney.

I would bet that out of those 2748 entries there were many stunning portraits to choose from.

"A portrait is a painting, photograph, sculpture, or other artistic representation of a person, in which the face and its expression is predominant. The intent is to display the likeness, personality, and even the mood of the person."

Garth's fantastic self portrait would surely have won. My neighbor kid that needed a ride to school would still fall into the above 'portrait' definition, as would Morgan Weistling's reflection portrait. But 'Rachel's belly with curious lizard'? I don't think so. Of course the lizard would protest, but he went on to fame in one of Tarantino's movies.

[Ngaire Winwood]

Hi Mike

I think that neighbour kid has what it takes to make it...at least, he's determined.

Another great reply.

Yes, Garth's and Morgan's portraits are...portraits!

It's a shame you didn't get to see our fine city in the spring, as the Carnival of Flowers is really special. Maybe one day you might come back this way, or not.

Ngaire