Nick Stathopoulos and Michael Zavros have each been on the Archibald Prize shortlist several times in recent years. They were chosen again this year out of 816 entries.

Counting this year’s entry, The man in the red scarf: Wayne Tunnicliffe, Mr Stathopoulos has been an Archibald finalist eight times.

In 2016 he garnered the People’s Choice with his popular painting of Sudanese refugee lawyer Deng Adut.

The Archibald Prize this year went to Blak Douglas with his portrait entitled Moby Dickens of Wiradjuri artist Karla Dickens, who lives on Bundjalung Country in Lismore.

In 2013, Mr Zavros’ work Bad Dad, a photo realist self-portrait was Sportsbet’s favourite to win the prize that year.

“It was a curious painting which I felt was a strong work. It functions as more than a portrait, as it raises questions in a quiet way,” Mr Zavros told Neos Kosmos earlier this week. Mr Zavros is a six-time Archibald finalist

This year’s entry, At the British Museum, is another self-portrait based on a photograph of his younger self taken 20 years ago as he first encounters the Parthenon Sculptures at the British Museum. The oil painting is set on a 13 x 20.4 cm board but it packs a considerable punch.

“The painting is a figure of me standing there, the work itself is personal and also represents a cultural history.

“I was much younger, I was excited and impressed to see the Sculptures in real life. They are huge and monumental, but I also felt troubled to see them there at a time when people were questioning the acquisition of such cultural artefacts like the Sculptures.”

Small but potent – Michael Zavros’ 13 x 20.4 cm painting At the British Museum was on the list the finalists for the Archibald. Photo: Supplied
Close up of Archibald Prize 2022 finalist, Michael Zavros ‘At the British Museum’, which is just 13 x 20.4 cm. Photo: AGNSW, Mim Stirling

He said in the 20 years since that visit, the Greek people had met every condition that the British Museum had placed for the proper housing and display the great works and that they now had to be repatriated to Greece.

“This painting is not intended as a political statement, but you cannot avoid seeing it through the lens of current discussions about cultural theft. I feel connected but also at a remove from this moment and from my own history,” Mr Zavros wrote in the statement that accompanied the painting.

Nick Stathopoulos’ work is an acrylic and oil on polycotton portrait of the AGNSW head curator of Australian Art, Wayne Tunnicliffe.

“I spend a lot of time at the AGNSW, I have been to talks with Wayne and when you see someone in that context, you start to think: ‘that face would make a good portrait,” Stathopoulos said

Nick Stathopoulos close up. Photo: Adrian Robertson

He said the portrait was tribute to the work of curators and gallery staff who worked behind the scenes to bring the work of artists to the world.

Once his deliberations were over, and he received his subject’s consent to sit for the portrait, it took Stathopoulos 22 days to complete.

“If you look at the finalists of the Archibald each year, you’ll notice that there are as many varying styles as there are artists. Some artists are more impressionistic, others like myself are very realistic in their approach. Some are totally out there, and you scratch your head. But it does come down to one fundamental aim, capturing the likeness of your sitter – whether physical, emotional or psychological,” Mr Stathopoulos told Neos Kosmos.

“I paint all sorts of subjects: landscapes, still-lifes – predominantly of my favourite childhood toys. But there is something special about portraiture. It’s considered the highest form of painting, and the most difficult genre. I do enjoy the process

Mr Stathopoulos said that even if did not win the $100,000 prize, being shortlisted was important as it gave his work great exposure. The shortlisted works will be exhibited at the AGNSW from 14 May to 28 August and he said many thousands of people would see his painting.

“The Archibald is the biggest gig in Australian art. It is a massive institution as it is the best-known art event in the country and it is very big platform for an artist,” Mr Zavros said.

As prelude to the final prize announcements, the gallery staff select their favourite for Packing Room Prize 2022 which this year went to Claus Stengl for his portrait of New Zealand film director, writer and actor Taika Watiti.

Along with the Archibald Prize, the winners of the Wynne Prize (for best landscape of Australian scenery or figure sculpture) and Sulman Prize (for best subject painting, genre painting or mural project in oil, acrylic, watercolour or mixed media) will be also be announced by the AGNSW.

Each year, the trustees of the Art Gallery of NSW judge the Archibald and Wynne, and invite an artist to judge the Sulman.

Last year’s list of Archibald finalists was distinguished by a record number of female entrants. This year, a record number of Aboriginal artists featured among the finalists.

Nick Stathopoulos, aged 62, is not married. His parents came from Greece. His father was from Agrinion while his mother came from Chios when she was seven years old. The artist who works in a variety of mediums was born in Sydney.

“I currently straddle my time between my grandmother’s old terrace in Paddington and a small cottage in the Blue Mountains. I share a studio in North Sydney with three other artists.

“I won my first art competition when I was in kindergarten. Despite winning numerous prizes during my formative years, I’m pretty much self-taught.”

Michael Zavros, 48, is the son of Chris and Christine Zavros. His father came with his family from Cyprus when he was five years old. His mother is an Australian of Irish descent. He has four sisters.

Mr Zavros is married to Alison Kubler. They have three children Phoebe, Olympia and Leonidas.

“I won both the Moran Prize 2010 and the Mosman Art Prize 2016 with paintings of Phoebe,” he told Neos Kosmos. He is a six-time Archibald Prize finalist.