Reviews on Inside Out Upside Down Gallery Site
Real Refusals 2011
The Real Refusals presents entrants rejected for exhibition in the Archibald, Wynn, and Sulman Prizes to the public. Conducted by the TAP Gallery at 45 Burton Street, Darlinghurst and opening on till 15 May, this exhibition often throws up works that have been unjustifiably overlooked for these prize competitions and this year is no exception.
This year I'm far less impressed by the selection of paintings than I was last year. Jane Nicole- Bacskay has an imaginative work well executed and interesting. Simon Borlour presents us with a disciplined and effective portrait of Tom Carroll, which may have missed the Arch simply because Simon is unknown, or perhaps it was not imaginative enough (though given the dust on the wall at the AGNSW this is unlikely). Most of the remainder are not up to a standard that would be selected out of 700 entrants in a credible painting prize, if such a thing existed.
Perhaps the quality of this years Real Refusals reflects the poor quality of material submitted for the Arch, Wynne and Sulman. But the exhibition at the TAP is recued by the magnificent Bald Archies being exhibited at the same time. Xavier Ghazi is the deserved winner of the Bald Archys with his "Bad Ass...Ange". Seeing the Refusals and Baldys together was a great idea, the Baldys come off best in the comparison.
Anyone contemplating and entry int he Archibald, Wynne or Sulman for 2012 should go and see these works. The result may be some first class imaginative works that will revive the Arch, Wynne, Sulman and Real Refusals.
author: Neil Miley