Pomona artist Jandamarra Cadd gave social media followers a peak at his 2017 Archibald Portrait Prize entry of actor Jack Charles entitled Cleverman and it received about 400,000 views in the first week.
Jandamarra was a finalist in the Archibald Prize in 2014, and last year won the People’s Choice Award at the Sunshine Coast Art Prize.
Jandamarra said his portrait subject was not only an uncle by relation, but was also someone he could relate to.
“It’s important for me to have elders and role models that I can relate to, and Uncle Jack represents the tenacity and resilience of a true survivor,” he said.
“Although he is of shorter stature than myself, his personality and vigour is larger than life, hence the choice to paint him this way”
Jack Charles is an Indigenous elder, actor, musician and activist who is using his own experiences with substance abuse to help others find a way out of addiction.
An unstoppable force, Uncle Jack is currently preparing for a show at the Sydney Opera House in September on his 74th birthday.
Archibald finalists will be announced on 20 July and the winner on 28 July.
