SYDNEY.- Since 1988, Archibald Prize audiences have had the opportunity to express their opinion about art by voting in the ANZ People’s Choice award. Recent winners include Anh Do in 2017 with his portrait of Indigenous actor Jack Charles and in 2016, veteran Archibald Prize artist Nick Stathopoulos with his portrait of Sudanese refugee and lawyer, Deng Adut.

Voting for the 2018 ANZ People’s Choice award closes on Sunday 12 August at 5pm, with the winner being announced on Wednesday 15 August. Over 18,000 visitors to the 2018 Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes have had their say with over 10,000 visitors providing written comments about their favourite work.

To further encourage visitors to confidently express their opinions about art, the Gallery with support from presenting partner, ANZ, has this year created the inaugural Archibald Celebrity Podcast Tour for Archibald Prize visitors to download for free and enjoy while they walk through the exhibition.

Each with a unique and personal perspective on the works, the celebrity guests talk about the Archibald Prize works they like – and those they don’t. Hosted by Julian Morrow, hear the opinions of Russell Crowe, Rove McManus, Rachel Perkins, Ben Quilty and Yumi Stynes.

Speaking with artist Ben Quilty for one of the podcasts, Academy Award winning actor Russell Crowe says of the Archibald Prize: “I'm fascinated by it. I'm drawn to it. I think it's a very, very significant tick to any artist, young or old, to have their work hung in the Archibald.”

The five podcasts including a ‘best of’ selection featuring all celebrities can be accessed via a Podcast app on Apple iPhones, SoundCloud, the Art Gallery of NSW website and on Spotify.

Curated and directed in partnership with The Glue Society, the Gallery’s Archibald Celebrity Podcast Tour is available during the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes exhibition at the Art Gallery of NSW until 9 September.

THE FIVE CELEBRITY PODCAST TOURS
• The Master Tour
Join celebrity guests as they take you on a tour through the 2018 Archibald Prize exhibition. Hosted by Julian Morrow with commentary from Russell Crowe, Ben Quilty, Rove McManus, Yumi Stynes and Rachel Perkins.

• The Russell Crowe Tour
Hear Academy Award winning actor Russell Crowe in conversation with his friend Ben Quilty as they consider some of the highlights of this year’s Archibald Prize.

• The Rove McManus Tour
Rove shares his comedic insights into some of the Archibald Prize works with Julian Morrow.

• The Yumi Stynes Tour
Yumi Stynes speaks passionately with Julian Morrow about increasing diversity and representation of women in the arts as they tour the exhibition.

• The Rachel Perkins Tour
Australian film director Rachel Perkins speaks with Julian Morrow. Rachel’s knowledge of art will inspire the art critic in everyone.

Listen to the Archibald Celebrity Podcast Tours online here.