Portraiture through Imagination
Unable to read well as a child and later kicked out of school, Australian-based artist, Vincent Fantauzzo was drawn into the world of storytelling through film. He was inspired by the idea that imagination is more important than knowledge.
Renowned for his portrait work, Fantauzzo’s art has been likened to cinematic stills, with a stunning level of detail and accuracy that carries emotive, powerful and striking honesty. Through the use of contrasting elements of light and dark, shadows and colours, he creates a depth that heightens the narrative’s realism and theatrical effect.
Fantauzzo rose to prominence in 2008 with his Archibald Prize entry, a haunting portrait of the late Heath Ledger. Last year he claimed a trifecta of coveted Australian art awards, including the world’s most lucrative portrait prize, the Doug Moran National Portrait Prize, for his depiction of director Baz Luhrmann, the Archibald Packing Room Prize and Australia’s richest award for emerging young talent, the Metro Art Award.
Fantauzzo has just been added to the stable of artists at Metro Gallery, Melbourne, Australia, and will present his first solo exhibition in September 2012.
