Artist Danelle Bergstrom from Sydney has been awarded the Packing Room Prize in conjunction with the 2007 Archibald Prize for her portrait of Australian actor, Jack Thompson called Take Two: Jack Thompson. Danelle chose to paint Jack Thompson for several reasons; he’s an Australian icon whose acting career spans more than 40 years, he’s a committed environmentalist and importantly because he’s down to earth, unpretentious and a truly genuine Australian bloke. Jack Thompson has appeared in more than 70 feature films and television series. He is also a Goodwill Ambassador for the UN High Commission for Refugees. Born in Sydney in 1957, Bergstrom studied at the Julian Ashton School of Art and then did a Bachelor of Art Education at the Alexander Mackie College of Advanced Education. She has exhibited in solo and group shows since 1980 including the Portia Geach Memorial Award, the Doug Moran Portrait Prize, the Kedumba Drawing Prize and the Archibald Prize. Her work is represented in collections in Australia and overseas, including the National Portrait Gallery of Australia. Danelle is a finalist in this year’s Archibald and was a finalist last year for her painting of Kevin Connor. The Packing Room Prize gives the Gallery staff who receive the entries and install the exhibition the chance to vote for their favourite Archibald portrait. This is the Gallery's head storeman, Steve Peters', 23rd Archibald Prize and his 16th Packing Room Prize. Steve said he chose this painting because ‘it looked just like Jack’. Last year's Packing Room Prize winner was Michael Mucci for his portrait of Scott Cam. In addition to $500 cash, Danelle Bergstrom receives a $500 Myer gift card. Finalists for the Archibald, Wynne & Sulman Prizes were also announced today. This year 640 entries were received for Archibald, 639 for the Wynne Prize and 433 for the Sulman Prize. Archibald opens to the public
Saturday March 3 – Sunday 13 May 2007 Archibald then travels to Melbourne to the MYER Mural Hall from 18 May – 1 July 2007 See list of finalists > See images of Archibald Prize finalists > www.thearchibaldprize.com.au
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