Michael Mucci A working class man

Artist Michael Mucci was awarded the 2006 Packing Room Prize for his portrait of builder and television personality Scott Cam.

Mucci and Cam went to school together and met up again at a recent reunion. When Mucci decided to enter this year’s Archibald, he thought Cam would be an interesting person to paint. “I’ve titled the painting A working class man because that is exactly how Scott likes to be known so that is exactly how I painted him,” said Mucci. Cam has been a carpenter since he was 17 years old. He loves the bush, camping, sport and the beach and started working on television eight years ago on Backyard blitz.

Mucci was born in Italy in 1962 and arrived in Sydney in 1968. He has been a commercial illustrator, animator and artist, and been a finalist in the Blake Religious Art Prize and the Doug Moran Portrait Prize.

Although awarded the Packing Room Prize and put on display, this painting was not one of the 35 Archibald finalists as selected by the Gallery trustees.

The Packing Room Prize provides the Gallery staff, who receive the entries and install the exhibition, the chance to vote for their favourite portrait entered into the competition.