Mathew Lynn Apprentice – self-portrait with Papa K (aka I do see colour)

‘This portrait is about my close friendship with Congolese sapeur and community leader Muyambo Isaac Kisimba,’ says Mathew Lynn about his 17th Archibald finalist work.

‘Sapologie (or La Sape) is the hugely important, elegant, sartorial dress culture of the Congolese, and the joke we share is that I am his permanent and eternal Sapologie apprentice! The “aka” in the title refers to the painting’s intense colour, and the fact that all the black people I know want their colour, and all that they are, seen and celebrated in its fullest sense.

‘This work is based on a photo I set up and directed at our annual African Families’ Christmas party in Western Sydney,’ says Lynn, who is involved in the event as a musician and board member of the organisation, which Kisimba leads.

‘I’d been thinking about a portrait with Isaac for a long time and this perfect moment presented itself. It enabled me to reference the rich tradition of African studio portrait photography, and the addition of repurposed and recontextualised backdrops particular to that tradition and African aesthetics. I also wanted to convey a personal space that I am completely welcomed in and at home.’