Bud, Pete and Archie, an insight
Television and film star, not to mention Australian icon Bud Tingwell is my subject for this years upcoming Archibald Prize, he proved to be my most challenging portrait subject to date.
It is the most difficult portrait I have done because, I respect him so much as an individual – I wanted to do him justice, I wanted the portrait to be right.
Peter Biram’s Portrait of Bud Tingwell for the 2009 Archibald Prize
Bud is the fifth subject I have painted for the Archibald Prize. My previous entries included race walker Nathan Deakes, Mathematician Robyn Arianrhod, newsreader Mal Walden and showbiz identity Roland Rocchiccioli.
My first meeting with Bud took place at the 2007 Salon Des Refuses in Melbourne, I knew very little about him before I put paintbrush to canvas, other than his on screen persona, he invited me to his place and we talked about love, war and the film industry.
It usually takes me anywhere between a few of days to a couple of weeks to complete a portrait, but Bud’s portrait took me, off and on six months. I got to the point where it was ridiculous, it’s not going to be perfect. Sometimes on-air personalities don’t match with the real-life person. Sometimes you could pickup cues from one’s personality on the big screen. I thought Bud seemed to be a nice person but you can never really tell. It was lucky he turned out to be as nice as he appears to be in television and film. If I don’t like the person I can’t paint them. Portrait painting is a very private process; you get up close and personal. I would describe Bud’s portrait as honest. I asked him how he would describe himself, Bud replied, “A Slob” I think what he meant was, he was sick of being portrayed as a sophisticated gent. He wanted the portrait to say something different; he wanted it to have substance.
The day of the sitting I met at Bud’s home, I wanted to create an environmental portrait, almost like a family snap shot. This I felt, would give the painting humanistic content, Bud would be surround by his personal objects, books tapes and even the several remotes placed on the lamp table. At the time he was preparing for the role of Winston Churchill in a TV film role, so the room was filled with references. So I used this as a narrative backdrop to the painting, because of the eclectic nature of the background this again adds to the family snap shot feel. I felt this side of Bud’s persona was not to my knowledge, previously portrayed. In all of my portraits I try to make it a team effort, that of the sitter and the artist, some times sitters have strong input in the content of the paintings while other times they don’t. I always start from the point of – “How do you see yourself” and extend from there.
Bud and myself at our house in Gembrook
For the first time I was nervous about showing Bud the final product, Nine times out of ten the sitter may find the portrait confronting, I felt I captured a likeness, but I think first and foremost it must be a good painting and Bud really loved it as a ‘painting’. There is a degree of sadness and also a degree of happiness (in the painting). The previous paintings and images of Bud are only showing one persona, the polished gent. I thought, yes, he is that, but also he’s more… one side a polished gent, and the other a vulnerable human being.
When I finished the painting I invited Bud up for a bar-b-que and to view the painting, there’s that awkward moment, what if he didn’t like it, what do you say? Bud’s reply… he had not looked at it for an accurate representation, but its own intrinsic value as a work of art…. And as a work of art.. He loved it. To me he couldn’t have made a better statement.
Here’s a link to an article on it. as well
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9 Responses to “Bud, Pete and Archie, an insight”
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No matter what people say, you are a great outsider - good luck.
Just wanted to say HI. I found your blog a few days ago on Technorati and have been reading it over the past few days.
thankyou stefan for your kind support
Hi Pete, Well done!!! I’m wrapped to hear Buds possitive comments and I’m sure you are very pleased with your self. Yet once again you have created a unique representation of your sitter. Wishing you sucess with the Archibald. Congratulations on a well accomplished portrait and I look forward to viewing Bud with the other Archibald finalists.
Leonie xo
Hi Peter, This is a lovely portrait. I have looked at all your work online and this has to be my favourite. Well done and best of luck with your Archibald entry.. Jodie
thankyou everyone for your kind comments and support
What a wonderful painting of a wonderful man. And, in some ways now, a fitting memorial. Farewell, sir. You have left us all richer for your presence here.
[...] Peter Biram painted his portrait for the Archibald Prize this year and wrote about it exclusively right here. It’s fitting I give Peter a chance to say a few words in his [...]
A wonderful portrait and a touching interview. You certainly have captured the swweet soul that was Bud and I am certain that he appreciated your empathy and talent. Congratulations and look forward to sharing the Salon des Refuses with you and the gang on Thursday.
Cheers