An esteemed St Albans artist is hoping his latest portrait will inspire a new generation across the west at his burgeoning art school.
Paul Borg’s depiction of Ballarat Art Gallery director Gordon Morrison was selected to be shown at the Salon de Refuses exhibition in Sydney and the Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery.
Borg was one of 800 artists to enter a portrait in this year’s uber-prestigious Archibald Prize.
He narrowly missed out on being included in the final 50. But he did make it into the next batch of 50, which forms the “alternative selection” for the Salon de Refuses.
Each year, a panel of selectors goes behind the scenes of the New South Wales Art Gallery to select the portraiture exhibition from the hundreds of entries to the Archibald and Wynne prizes.
Works are selected for overall quality, diversity, humour and experimentation.
Also a TAFE teacher for 29 years, Borg is committed to developing artistic expression in Melbourne’s west. He set up his own art school in St Albans four months ago.
“I teach and mentor people who are practising and need critique,” he said. “Another artist in this show [
Salon de Refuses], Shannon Smiley, was one of my students and a teaching colleague, which makes me extra proud.
“I also have classes for beginners in drawing and painting, and I’ll run classes for kids and occasional lectures.”
Borg is a four-time Doug Moran National Portrait Prize finalist.
More details: 0425 739 836, email paulborg@hotmail.com or go to www.paulborg.com.au
