A highly anticipated feature of the art scene, the popular Salon des Refusés exhibition returns to Retford Park in Bowral.
Each year a large number of portraits are entered into the Archibald Prize – one of Australia’s most high profile and respected awards – however only a limited selection are chosen for the official exhibition. The Salon des Refusés showcases the alternative entries not selected for the official exhibition in an equally outstanding display.
Initiated by the S.H. Ervin Gallery in 1992, this ‘alternative’ selection has become a much-anticipated annual exhibition, rivalling the selections in the ‘official’ exhibition.
Each year an expert panel is invited to go behind the scenes of the judging process for the annual Archibald Prize for portraiture at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, to select the Salon des Refusés display, crafted from the many hundreds of works entered, but not chosen, for the official exhibition.
This summer in the White Cottage Gallery at Retford Park, the Salon des Refusés will proudly showcase 30+ equally brilliant portraits selected for their quality, diversity, humour and innovation, and which examine contemporary art practices and different approaches to portraiture.
Many of the Salon des Refusés works will be available for purchase.
Featured image: TRISH TAIT, Poolside Reconsidered (After Aarons) (Self-portrait) watercolour 73 x 60cm
Make a day of it
Book a guided tour of the house to hear the fascinating stories of James Fairfax’s impressive art and furniture collection and stop into Hearth by Moonacres café for lunch and refreshments. The Southern Highlands Regional Gallery Ngununggula is also located right next door.
