Tony Johansen is a Kings Cross artist who has been a competitor in the Archibald Prize each year since 1997. Nine years ago he founded the Real Refusés, aka the Democratic Archibald which each year gives opportunity to those rejected by both the official Archibald Prize and the official Salon des Refusés to exhibit their work and celebrate being part of Australia's largest and most prestigious art event.
Tony's artistic passions are well known. He is a strong advocate for the needs and rights of emerging artists. In 1999 he became the founding president of the Kings Cross Arts Guild and Director in its formative years of the Kings Cross Arts Festival.
His studio in William Street is a popular bohemian venue for debate, learning, and figure drawing, painting, and sculpture. He has a Lautrec-like reputation for drawing and painting in Kings Cross bars.
Tony's work, over recent years is increasingly involving a digital expression. His 2005 Archibald Prize entry became the first to include an on-line component, and now that the Archibald Prize exhibition has finished, his entry, GoFigure.net.au continues to receive significant Internet traffic which shows no sign of diminishing. Interestingly the highest proportion of that traffic comes from the United States.
Tony now signs his work TonyJohansen.com. His goal is the greater integration of traditional arts with the Internet for creative reasons as well as the liberation of artists from the current restrictive establishment gallery system.
Dr. Christopher Birch is Senior Counsel for our team. Dr. Birch is Senior Counsel at Sir Garfield Barwick Chambers. Sir Garfield Barwick was the high profile 'silk' in the famous 1943 Dobell Archibald Prize Challenge with Sir Frank Kitto opposing. That case was notable as a "mighty tussle between two brilliant lawyers" (Hon Justice Michael Kirby AC CMG) The current case is also shaping into a remarkable tussle.
Malcolm Duncan was the first member of the legal team. It was Malcolm who came to the Art Gallery of New South Wales to examine the portraits in person at the beginning. According to Malcolm the best use for art is probably to cover blemishes on the wall. He has however a great sense of justice and his career is noted for his attention to social issues, and for helping the under dog. He originally came to the law after several years in the army which may explain his tactical and strategic qualities in the court room.
Fiona Sinclair-King would no doubt have been surprised to know, as she prepared for the Bar, that one day she would need to become expert in the ins and outs of the Archibald Prize. Since joining the team she has followed not just the thoughts of J. F. Archibald, but also the Ruddy portrait to a warehouse in Queensland, (where it had been placed in storage) so our experts could carefully examine the work for the case.
Patrick Moloney has a very keen interest in modern art. His office is adorned with a fine example of a McLean Edwards painting. As solicitor for the Supreme Court action he has laid a strong foundation for the case. his professionalism, integrity and tenacity is second to none, I am thankful he is on our side.
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