Mitch Cairns (born 1984) is an Australian artist and cartoonist. In 2017, he won the Archibald Prize.[1] His work has been collected by many prominent Australian institutions.[2]

Life and career

Cairns was born in the Sydney suburb of Camden and grew up in Casula and later Wollongong. He studied at the National Art School during which time he worked as a labourer for his father, a bricklayer.[3][4]

Cairns won the Brett Whiteley Travelling Art Scholarship in 2012.[5] With the scholarship, Cairns undertook a residency in Paris.[2] In 2017, Cairns won the Archibald Prize for his painting Agatha Gothe-Snape.[1] Former Archibald winner John Olsen criticised the decision to award the prize to Cairns, describing it as "the worst decision I've ever seen."[6] The decision was defended by artist and prize judge Ben Quilty who praised Cairns and the portrait.[7]

Cairns is married to fellow artist Agatha Gothe-Snape with whom he has a son.[8][1]

Work

Cairns' work has been noted for its geometric character and bold colours. New Zealand artist Tom Kreisler is among his influences.[2]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Riley, Stuart (28 July 2017). "Mitch Cairns wins Archibald Prize for portrait of partner". ABC News. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 Holden, Kate (21 August 2021). "Mitch Cairns". The Saturday Paper. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
  3. ↑ Maddox, Garry (2 August 2017). "Camden-born artist Mitch Cairns wins Archibald Prize". Wollondilly Advertiser.
  4. ↑ Kale, Neha (19 March 2021). "The National: using art to tell stories of family who could not speak". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
  5. ↑ "Brett Whiteley Travelling Art Scholarship 2012 :: Art Gallery NSW". www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
  6. ↑ Farrelly, Elizabeth (27 January 2021). Killing Sydney: The Fight for a City's Soul. Picador Australia. ISBN 978-1-76098-119-8.
  7. ↑ Morris, Linda (29 July 2017). "Ben Quilty: Criticism of Mitch Cairns' Archibald Prize winning portrait ungracious". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
  8. ↑ "Archibald winner Mitch Cairns was led by love". Australian Financial Review. 28 July 2017. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
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