Jerry Schwartz brings colour and comedy to Ibis Barangaroo

Ibis Sydney Barangaroo has turn into the new house for the exhibition of finalists in Australia’s leading satirical art level of competition, the Bald Archy Prize.

As main sponsor, Ibis Sydney Barangaroo Owner Dr Jerry Schwartz provided the hotel as an alternate venue to the Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour pursuing the recent introduction of a spa on the premises.

The Museum of the Riverina, which now runs the level of competition, has reworked the hotel’s community spaces into a mini artwork gallery with 22 portraits of famous and infamous personalities which include Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and former PM, Scott Morrison, George Pell, Rupert Murdoch, Ash Barty, and lots of a lot more.

“Hotels – like art – will need to modify with the occasions. Gone are the days when lodge lobbies were like mausoleums, all marble and vacant,” claimed Dr Schwartz.

“We want to convey people and lifetime back again into hotels, make them energetic community spaces, and component of the group. This exhibition has presently attracted heaps of Sydneysiders to the hotel, and our corporate and leisure company also adore the buzz it has produced.”

Brisbane artist, Marty Steel, took residence the top prize of $10,000 from Dr Schwartz for his portrait of Bald Archy Prize founder, the late Peter Batey OAM.

“Peter hated the ‘stuffiness’ of the traditional art scene,” explained Dr Schwartz.

“He preferred people today to love art in convivial surroundings, have a drink and a chuckle – and which is exactly what we have carried out with the location at Ibis Sydney Barangaroo.

The exhibition will be at the Ibis Sydney right up until April 14 in advance of touring big regional centres close to NSW, which includes a halt at Rydges resort in Newcastle.