Archibald Prize 2011 winner - Ben Quilty

Ben Quilty has just won the Archibald Prize 2011, which is regarded as the most important portraiture price in Australia. Since his first exhibition at the Step Gallery, Sydney in 2001, Quilty has been regularly exhibiting his work in solo shows. What's more, he has been regularly 'branding' himself in the online space.

According to Hearn (2008), self-branding involves the self-conscious construction through the use of cultural meanings and images, aiming to produce cultural value and potentailly material profit. For individual artists, the social media whether it be a blog, Facebook, Twitter or Linkedin profile act as a self-branding tool in helping them to promote themselves and sell their work. Quilty, emerging as one of Australia's favourite contemporary artists, is also self-branding himeself by actively engaging with the social media.


Ben Quilty with his winning portrait (image source found here)

Quilty has his own website where he shares his cv, artwork, and sells his book and designed T-shirts. In addition to launching his website, he has a Facebook page where he updates more frequently than the website. On the page he interacts with his fans, anounces his upcoming events, and shares links, videos, and photos of his recent work, various exhibitions and behind-the-scene shots. At the same time, he has a profile on Wikipedia that is easily found on any search engine by tying his name.

The following is a YouTube clip on Ben Quilty talking about painting the portrait of his friend Margaret Olley, that had made him win the Archibald Prize 2011:

References

Hearn, A. (2008). 'Meat, Mask, Burden': Probing the contours of the branded 'self'. Journal of Consumer Culture. vol 8, pp. 197-200.