Julie Fragar Richard

Julie Fragar has painted artist and friend Richard Bell – making this the eighth time that Bell has appeared in an Archibald Prize finalist portrait. ‘Richard is well known as a fearless artist with a sharp mind and a big personality. Sometimes, though, when talking about personal experiences, he shows a quieter side,’ she says.

‘Richard occasionally tells the story of growing up in south-west Queensland where the home he lived in was demolished by local authorities. I wanted to refer to something of that loss and to show two sides of Richard – the fearless and the feeling.

‘Richard is wearing the necklace he bought in 2003 when he won the Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Prize. In the background you can see shadows of trees, bent corrugated iron and bed springs from the site of his home; these shadows also fall onto Richard’s shoulders. Richard is one of the strongest, most determined and generous people I’ve ever met.’

Born in 1977, Fragar grew up in rural NSW. She has a Master of Visual Arts from Sydney College of the Arts and a Doctor of Philosophy from Griffith University, where she is a senior lecturer. This is her third time as an Archibald Prize finalist.