Flippin’ Kerfection, Judy Nadin’s satirical piece capturing Sam Kerr’s famous celebration, has won the 2024 Bald Archy Prize. Photo: Supplied.
2023 was a big year for Australia.
Sam Kerr and the Matildas won the heart of the country, Pat Cummins and the other Aussies took part in the best Ashes series of the past 15 or so years, Peter Dutton and Anthony Albanese continued to go back and forth and Lydia Thorpe was in the news every two or so weeks.
These topics are just a handful that were parodied and brought to life as Bald Archy Prize entries, which are now on display at the Museum of the Riverina’s Historic Council Chambers site.
“The exhibit pokes fun at Australia’s biggest figures, from sportsmen to politicians, and encapsulates the irreverent, larrikin Australian spirit in a way that appeals to people from all walks of life,” museum manager Luke Grealy said.
One of the more popular topics at this year’s Bald Archy awards was the 2023 Ashes tour of England, including the infamous Johnny Bairstow runout by Alex Carey. The moment caused a stir with popular British political commentator Piers Morgan, who believed the moment to be against the spirit of the game, something artist James Brennan mocked in his painting Like Taking Ashes From a Baby, below.
The painting caused an outcry when Mr Morgan posted the picture to his 8.8 million X (formerly Twitter) followers.
“I may have to buy this to stop some cocky Aussie putting it on their loo wall,” Mr Morgan posted jokingly to the social media site.
Like Taking Ashes From a Baby went viral on X after Piers Morgan posted the image earlier this year. Photo: Bald Archy Prize.
The original painting was selling for $1500 during the tour, but the price has since increased to $4500.
“I think it’s essential for the community’s mental health to be able to have a laugh,” Mr Grealy said.
“The world is so grim at the moment and getting grimmer, and it’s wonderful watching people walk into that exhibition as you hear them going down through the exhibition, then they’ll burst out laughing. It’s a really nice change.”
The winner of this year’s Bald Archy included another famous sporting moment, that of Sam Kerr and her famous backflip during the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Judy Nadin’s Flippin’ Kerfection caught the eye of the ”sulfur-crested cockatoo” Professor Maude Munro and has since travelled the county.
“The Matildas were obviously one of the biggest talking points of last year,” Mr Grealy said.
“Sam Kerr led that conversation and Ms Nadin’s picture really captured the feeling and expression of that period.”
The 2024 Bald Archy Tour officially opens today (18 December) and will continue showing until 2 February.
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