The Father, a striking charcoal drawing by Chris McGirr, has taken out the People’s Choice Award in the Bathurst Community Portrait Prize.
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Inspired by the novel and film adaptation of Cormac McCarthy’s ‘The Road’, Mr McGirr’s drawing captures the bleakness of an apocalyptic world and the desperation of a father struggling to protect his child.
The artist is currently doing a series of drawings and paintings inspired by scenes from films.
Although he lives in Bathurst, Mr McGirr works as a set painter and scenic artist for film, television and theatre in Sydney.
Director of Bathurst Regional Art Gallery Richard Perram said the technical skill of the drawing and the haunting power of the subject’s gaze made the drawing a favourite with visitors of all ages.
The Bathurst Community Portrait Prize attracted 193 entries from artists and photographers from across the Central West.
Mr Perram said more than 3000 people have already visited the exhibition, which closes on Sunday, October 10. Entry is free.
Mr McGirr was presented with a digital SLR camera courtesy of Paul Welsh of The Good Guys, Bathurst, a major sponsor of the Bathurst Community Portrait Prize.
“The portrait prize is a great initiative,” Mr McGirr said.
“It is fantastic that council and businesses are getting behind local arts.”
