Art, Fame, & Unintended Consequences

Winning Australia’s $35,000 Archibald Prize is one of the fastest ways for an artist to get a stunning amount of media exposure, so it’s no wonder than so many enter. But as any Hollywood celebrity will tell you, fame ain’t all it’s cracked up to be. “Winning the annual portrait prize has many consequences for the careers and lives of artists, beyond the sudden fame. Doors open, certainly, and commissions might follow. But bruised egos, ruined friendships and a broken marriage have been among its unanticipated results.”