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Dr Jerry Schwartz, chief sponsor of Australia’s premier satirical art competition, the Bald Archy Prize, needed a suitable gallery within one of his hotels to house the exhibition of finalists and announce the winning entry.  

When Dr Schwartz first became involved with the competition in 2018, he created a ‘pop-up’ gallery from a store room – with million-dollar views! – at Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour.  

However, after appreciating the underutilised value of the space, he completely reimagined the area as Sydney’s newest and most luxurious hotel day spa – the Sofitel SPA Darling Harbour – which then required an alternative venue for the Bald Archy Prize exhibition.  

Dr Schwartz found the perfect solution. Undoubtedly the most colourful hotel in his portfolio, instantly recognisable from its multi-coloured exterior and prominent city position, Ibis Sydney Barangaroo became the new home for the equally colourful and distinctive Bald Arch Prize.  

While a compact hotel, with limited public spaces, the atmospheric lounge was transformed into a mini art gallery by the professional team from the Museum of the Riverina, which now runs the competition.    

Famous and infamous personalities were featured subjects for the 22 finalists, including current Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and former Prime Minister Scott Morrison, along with many other political, business, sporting and entertainers who were in the public spotlight during 2022.  

These included George Pell, Gina Rinehart, Rupert Murdoch, Ash Barty, Daryl Maguire, ‘Mona Livia’ Newton-John, Wayne Bennett and two ‘royals’ from different sides of the world – King Charles and Dame Edna Everage.   

The winner’s crown and a cheque for $10,000 from Dr Schwartz, however, went to Brisbane artist, Marty Steel, for his portrait of Bald Archy Prize founder, Peter Batey.  

Peter Batey OAM was a distinguished arts administrator and pioneer of contemporary Australian theatre. After a long and successful career in theatre, Batey relocated to Coolac, a small town near Gundagai, where he created the Festival of Fun, from which the Bald Archy Prize evolved in 1994. The ‘Minister for Irreverent Art’ sadly passed away in 2019, but his legacy and the Bald Archy prize has been continued by the Museum of the Riverina, with the support of Dr Schwartz.   

Dr Jerry Schwartz said that Batey would have been proud of this year’s collection of finalists and the new exhibition venue.  

Dr Schwartz notes “Peter hated the ‘stuffiness’ of the traditional art scene. He wanted people to enjoy art in convivial surroundings, have a drink and a laugh – and that’s precisely what we have done with the venue at Ibis Sydney Barangaroo.

“Hotels – like art – need to change with the times. Gone are the days when hotel lobbies were like mausoleums, all marble and empty. We want to bring people and life back into hotels, make them energetic public spaces, and part of the community. This exhibition has already attracted lots of Sydneysiders to the hotel, and our corporate and leisure guests also love the buzz it has created.

“The exhibition will be at the Ibis Sydney for a month before touring major regional centres around NSW, including Newcastle, where we will host the exhibition at our Rydges hotel.”   

The exhibition is available for viewing at Ibis Sydney Barangaroo until 14th April, from 10am – 4pm. 

Full details and background to the competition at baldarchy.com.au/

Image top: Bald Archy convenor Luke Grealy with 2023 winner Marty Steel and Dr Jerry Schwartz sponsor of the Prize; image above: Ibis Sydney Barangaroo lounge - venue for Bald Archy Exhibition

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