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Vincent Namatjira Wins 2020 Archibald Prize With Adam Goodes Portrait

He's the first Indigenous artist to take out the top prize in its almost 100 year-long history.

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Vincent Namatjira has won the 2020 Archibald Prize for a portrait of himself and former AFL player Adam Goodes titled, ā€˜Stand Strong for Who You Areā€™.

Namatjira is the first Indigenous artist to take out the top prize in its almost century-long history.

ā€œThis is a really special moment for me,ā€ he said while accepting his award via video link, speaking from the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara lands in South Australia.

ā€œWhat an honour it is to be the first Indigenous winner of the Archibald prize. It only took 99 years. Iā€™m so proud to be the first but I also have to acknowledge all the Indigenous finalists and Indigenous sitters for this year and past years.ā€

The great-grandson of renowned artist Albert Namatjira first met former Sydney Swans player Goodes in 2018, and decided to paint him after watching the documentary, ā€˜The Final Quarterā€™.

ā€œI am thrilled that an Indigenous artist, Vincent Namatjira, has won the Archibald prize for the first time and Iā€™m so pleased that it shines the light on all Indigenous art,ā€ Goodes said of the artistā€™s victory on Friday.

ā€œWe have a 60,000 year history of art and culture in our people and we share this knowledge and gift of culture with all Australia.

ā€œVincent and I are also countrymen. Iā€™m so proud of Vincent and his family, their journey has been shared through art of generations.ā€

Adam Goodes attends the Gala Runway 1 show at Melbourne Fashion Festival on March 10, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia.
Graham Denholm via Getty Images
Adam Goodes attends the Gala Runway 1 show at Melbourne Fashion Festival on March 10, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia.

Last week the 55 finalists for the Archibald Prize were announced at a small ceremony at NSW Art Gallery, where Meyne Wyatt was also named the winner of the Archibald Packing Room Prize.

The Wongutha-Yamatji manā€™s victory made him the first Indigenous person to win any of the prizes in the Archibald.

Actor and artist Meyne Wyatt was announced the Archibaldā€™s Packing Room Prize winner on Thursday for his self-portrait
Instagram/artgalleryofnsw
Actor and artist Meyne Wyatt was announced the Archibaldā€™s Packing Room Prize winner on Thursday for his self-portrait
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