Archibald Prize 2008
“Heath was an inspiring and remarkable friend, son, and father. I was honoured that he offered to sit for me, as my model for the Archibald prize (Australia’s leading portrait prize). Heath was a very private person, which is one of the reasons I was so honoured that he allowed me to paint him. We had been meaning to do the sit for the portrait for the past 3 years. Heath sat for the painting in December 2007. He was so easy, and professional to work with. He didn’t need any direction. Absolutely focussed. We had discussed the idea for the painting together – about artist’s being the object of public scrutiny and everybody wanting a peice of you.
It was a concept that I had visited in a previous self portrait, and Heath being an amazing actor, understood the concept well and was able to translate that visually. Once done, he was back to his usual charismatic self. Heath was not drinking nor was he interested in taking any drugs. Heath spoke very positively about his future and future plans. I believe his passing was an accident. He has a very loving family, a very proud mother who told me how proud she is of him and what a great cook he is while making us crumpets in the morning. His father was his hero, his daughter and sisters the loves of his life and he was a very loyal friend to all that new him.
He was always there to help his close friends in their many creative projects. My thoughts are with his family, and friends who must all be feeling such pain at the moment. Its a hard time, a sad time, and I hope everyone can find a way to focus on the good memories and move forward in a positive direction. We all love Heath dearly. After the Archibald prize the painting will given to Heath’s mother.” Vincent Fantauzzo 2008
Vincent Fantauzzo painted his portrait of Australian actor Heath Ledger in December just weeks before Ledger died in New York in January.
Born in Perth in 1979, Ledger’s many film credits include Brokeback Mountain, for which he scored an Academy Award nomination, I’m Not There and Candy. He will be seen this year as The Joker in the new Batman movie The Dark Knight.
Fantauzzo and Ledger were friends for around five years. “We had been planning to do a portrait for the last three years,” says the artist, “but the time was never right. Then late last year he gave me a call and said he was ready to do it and was really excited.”
They met at Ledger’s mother’s home in Perth and had a long discussion about ideas for the painting. “I wanted it to be dealing with self, your own consciousness and your thoughts,” says Fantauzzo. “An artist is their own biggest critic. I had seen his eyes wander off or stare into the camera while doing interviews and wondered what he may have been thinking. I felt that being a celebrity, you are always under constant scrutiny with so many demands made of you that you have to hold part of yourself back and not give too much away.”
The artist and Ledger had a couple of lengthy sittings. Ledger was relaxed and happy and they talked about his career. “After the sittings I felt so inspired,” says Fantauzzo, who flew home to Melbourne to finish the portrait. “I worked on it solidly for 10 or 12 hours a day. I’ve never worked so intensely or painted so obsessively. I was consumed by it.”
The Ledger family, in particular Sally, Heath Ledger’s mother, and Vincent Fantauzzo have jointly decided to donate this painting to the Art Gallery of New South Wales.
