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Archibald prize winner, Sir William Dargie, goes online

The Federal Minister for the Arts and Sport, Senator Rod Kemp, today launched the collection of Sir William Dargie as the latest feature on the educational website In the Artist's Footsteps.

In the Artist's Footsteps explores the lives and works of Australia's most celebrated artists, and was designed to digitally archive the collected works of major figures.

'Sir William Dargie is a truly remarkable Australian whose contribution to this nation's cultural life has been considerable on many levels,' said Senator Kemp.

In 1941, Sir William was digging a trench in Tobruk when he learnt he had won the Archibald Prize, with his portrait of Sir James Elder, KBE-he was 29 at the time.

Between 1942 and 1956, he would win the Archibald another seven times-a record that has not yet been broken.

'Sir William joins more than a dozen major Australian artists whose work and lives are featured on this excellent site, which is a valuable resource for anyone interested in the Arts,' said Senator Kemp.

Other major Australian artists featured include Sir Arthur Streeton, Walter Withers, Tom Roberts, Charles Conder, Eugene von Guerard, David Davies and Frederick McCubbin, and the Women of the Heidelberg School-Clara Southern, Elizabeth Parsons, Jane Price, Jane Sutherland, and May Vale.

The website has been placed on the national Archives in Canberra to ensure ongoing access to educational institutions and art lovers.

Visit the website at http://www.artistsfootsteps.com for more information.

MELBOURNE 27 February 2002

Media contact:
Richard Wise, 02 6277 7350 or 0438 204 554

Left: Arthur Streeton - Above Us The Great Grave Sky, 1890
Collection: National Gallery of Australia, Canberra.