Mitch Cairns
Mitch Cairns (born 1984) is an Australian artist and cartoonist. In 2017, he won the Archibald Prize.[1] His work has been collected by many prominent Australian institutions.[2]
Life and career[edit]
Cairns was born in the Sydney suburb of Camden and grew up in Casula and later Wollongong. He studied at the National Art School during which time he worked as a labourer for his father, a bricklayer.[3][4]
Cairns won the Brett Whiteley Travelling Art Scholarship in 2012.[5] With the scholarship, Cairns undertook a residency in Paris.[2] In 2017, Cairns won the Archibald Prize for his painting Agatha Gothe-Snape.[1] Former Archibald winner John Olsen criticised the decision to award the prize to Cairns, describing it as "the worst decision I've ever seen."[6] The decision was defended by artist and prize judge Ben Quilty who praised Cairns and the portrait.[7]
Cairns is married to fellow artist Agatha Gothe-Snape with whom he has a son.[8][1]
Work[edit]
Cairns' work has been noted for its geometric character and bold colours. New Zealand artist Tom Kreisler is among his influences.[2]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c Riley, Stuart (28 July 2017). "Mitch Cairns wins Archibald Prize for portrait of partner". ABC News. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
- ^ a b c Holden, Kate (21 August 2021). "Mitch Cairns". The Saturday Paper. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
- ^ Maddox, Garry (2 August 2017). "Camden-born artist Mitch Cairns wins Archibald Prize". Wollondilly Advertiser.
- ^ Kale, Neha (19 March 2021). "The National: using art to tell stories of family who could not speak". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
- ^ "Brett Whiteley Travelling Art Scholarship 2012 :: Art Gallery NSW". www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
- ^ Farrelly, Elizabeth (27 January 2021). Killing Sydney: The Fight for a City's Soul. Picador Australia. ISBN 978-1-76098-119-8.
- ^ Morris, Linda (29 July 2017). "Ben Quilty: Criticism of Mitch Cairns' Archibald Prize winning portrait ungracious". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
- ^ "Archibald winner Mitch Cairns was led by love". Australian Financial Review. 28 July 2017. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
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