Salon des Refusés

Rachelle Taylor’s Did we make a poem? Blue-eyed memory stares back (acrylic on wood panel, 90cm x 100cm)

This post is not about me. Really.

In 2024, Rachelle Taylor — an artist I worked with once-upon-a-time — entered a portrait of me in the Archibald. Nope, the portrait didn't win the Archibald (a result reflecting the subject more than the piece) but it has won another gong. Earlier this month, Did we make a poem? Blue-eyed memory stares back (that’s the title of Rachelle’s painting) came second in the people’s choice prize for the 2024 Victorian Salon des Refusés.

I’m delighted for Rachelle. And, yes, it does feel a tad weird to be the subject of a portrait.

Here’s Rachelle’s artist statement:

It has been my artistic dream to be a part of the Archibald conversation for many years.

My 2024 Archibald entry is a portrait of poet, novelist and speechwriter  Joel Deane.  Titled: Did we make a poem? Blue-eyed memory stares back. That blue-eyed memory is a line from Joel’s book Judas Boys(pg 22). Did we make a poem is a question for the audience. Joel and I considered the portrait a success if it elicited an emotional connection. 

I chose Joel as a subject as he not only nailed the brief but he is an author and poet I’d love more Australians to know. I used to work with him at Telstra in his capacity as speechwriter for David Thodey - he was a generous colleague who was both incredible and courageous when he shared his story of stroke survival.

We met at the NGV International to discuss the collaboration and the grey of the famous Sir Roy Grounds walls is apparent in the final work. There is a lot of light and dark in Joel’s poems, novels and even the speeches so both the conflict and necessity of that is reflected in the texture, tone and brush marks of the painting.