A nostalgic anatomy kit, amplified to large scale, is used to explore narcissism and aging in James Powditch’s dramatic self portrait for Archibald 2018.

Amongst glistening funereal black is pops of colourful collage of ripe fruits and daffodils (a symbol of Narcissism)
These sit alongside chapter titles of Robert Burton’s ‘The Anatomy of Melancholy’ and is an interesting title flip on the often expressed experience of aging, which is that people feel they have become “invisible” once youthful beauty fades.

Enjoy the beauty while it lasts,
~ Martyne

The Archibald Prize is on show now, until early September at The Art Gallery of NSW