Greg Warburton Self-portrait in Da Vinci t-shirt

This is the fourth time Greg Warburton has been a finalist in the Archibald Prize and the second self-portrait to be selected. In recent years he has developed a dramatic black and white technique using paint, charcoal and conte crayon on heavy paper.

This picture is connected to a series of works depicting objects “bandaged” in cloth, which are simultaneously identifiable and concealed. The disembodied shirt and almost featureless mannequin type head is a challenging portrait and a picture which invites interpretation.

Early in his career, Warburton produced solo exhibitions of large colourful abstract paintings, however, his love for drawing has been consistent and eventually dominated his approach to art making. “If I was a photographer or film maker I would choose to work in black and white.”

Born in Sydney in 1952, Warburton trained at Hornsby Technical College and the Alexander Mackie College of Advanced Education. His work has been hung in numerous group exhibitions since 1975 and he has had four solo exhibitions in Sydney. Warburton has received many awards throughout his career including an Australia Council grant for overseas study. His work is represented in numerous municipal, regional and private collections.