Bald Archy Prize

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It was Oscar Wilde who said that life is too imporant to be taken seriously, and I'd guess that the guys at the would say that the same applies to art.

Now in its seventeenth year, the Bald Archy competition is a spoof of its more serious big brother, the highly-esteemed Archibald Prize. The Bald Archy was founded by Australian theatre and arts heavy-weight Peter Batey OAM. Originally a part of the Coolac Festival of Fun, the exhibition was designed as an antidote to the serious, brow-furrowing art scene. The Bald Archy is designed to appeal to the masses rather than discrimate against them - and every year the tour has attracted record-breaking crowds.

While artistic integrity, skill and choice of subject are key criteria for both competitions, the Bald Archy prizes the darkly satirical, humourous, bizzarre and light-hearted. Famous subjects in the Bald Archy have included a wedgy-picking Crown Prince Fredrick of Denmark, a nude Pauline Hanson, and Nicole Kidman in her best wicked witch's cape.

The Bald Archy is the only art competition in the world to be judged by a sulphur-crested cockatoo. Feathery art critic Maude argues she as just as qualified as any other judge to make a decision, and the Bald Archy has attracted an international cult following as a result. This year's winner, Patti's Cake by Judy Nadin, is a portrait of Bert Newton resplendent in his birthday suit. Nadin's sultry caricature features Newton's dazzling smile, with one finger cheekily covering his nipple.

The Bald Archy is showing now until the 6th of November at Chapel off Chapel and is arguably the only art show in the country not to be missed. Just don't take it too seriously or you'll miss all the fun.

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