Tim Storrier

Tim Storrier AM (born 13 February 1949 in Sydney) is an Australian artist who won the 2012 Archibald Prize with a self-portrait entitled The Histrionic Wayfarer (after Bosch).

The 'faceless' self-portrait proved a controversial choice by the judges. Storrier notes in the accompanying Art Gallery of New South Wales (AGNSW) text "It refers to a painting by Hieronymus Bosch called The Wayfarer painted in c1510 where the figure is believed to be choosing a path or possibly the prodigal son returning," says Storrier. "It also has other references, I believe, but they are rather clouded in biblical history and time... A carapace of burden is depicted in The histrionic wayfarer, clothed in the tools to sustain the intrigue of a metaphysical survey. Provisions, art materials, books, papers, bedding, compass and maps, all for the journey through the landscape of the artist's mind, accompanied by Smudge [the dog], the critic and guide of the whole enterprise."

The AGNSW text also notes "Though there is no face to identify him, Storrier believes that identity is made clear by the clothes and equipment carried. Storrier has included a drawing of himself in the painting, scribbled on a piece of paper being blown away by the wind". Storrier's Wayfarer is one of his later career figurative subjects and other examples can be seen in his In Absentia series.

Storrier was educated at the Sydney Church of England Grammar School and the National Art School, also in Sydney. Storrier lived and worked in Sydney until 1995 when he moved to Bathurst, New South Wales, where he remained until 2013. He and his third wife Janet reside in a rural property near Bowral in NSW.

He is the recipient of several awards including the Sir John Sulman Prize in 1968 for Suzy 350 at age 19 and again in 1984 for The Burn and the Archibald Prize in 2012 for the Histrionic Wayfarer (after Bosch). At nineteen, Storrier was the youngest artist to win the Sulman Prize. He was a finalist in the 2011 Archibald Prize and also in the Wynne Prize 2012 for his painting The Dalliance. He was the winner of the 2014 Packing Room Prize.

In 1993, Storrier was the subject of the documentary film Lighting Fires which aired on ABC television. In 1994, he was awarded an Order of Australia (AM) for services to art.

His work is included in the collections of the National Gallery of Australia, the Art Gallery of New South Wales, the Metropolitan Art Museum in New York and all major Australian art museums.

Essays and editorials

• Tim Storrier (London exhibition) – Bryan Robertson, Fischer Fine Art, London, 1983
• Ticket to Egypt – Linda Van Nunen and Christopher Leonard, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, 1986
• Burning of the Gifts – Deborah Hart, Australian Galleries, Sydney, 1989
• Point to Point – William Wright, Presentation of major work to Australian Embassy, Tokyo, 1996