Director Mike Hayes enters ‘Jo has one for Mo’ painting into (now postponed) Archibald Prize
Since the doco ‘How Australia got its Mojo’ screened last year on the ABC and repeated Australia Day this year ~ and was the highest rating doco of the year ~ TVC director Mike Hayes’ portrait of Allan ‘Jo’ Johnston now qualifies for the Archibald Prize as a person distinguished in art, letters, media, science or politics.
Hayes, who shares a production office with Paul Swain in Crows Nest, told CB that about a year ago he picked up a brush for the first time in 45 years to attempt a portrait of George Harrison (pictured below) for his son, Simon to fill a space on his flat wall.
Hayes recalls how it came about: “Simon’s fiancee is a George fan, they both loved it, including Paul, who is working with Jo on a NATS Centenary film,” says Hayes.
“Next minute we’re having a beer with Jo at his local in Bondi Junction, where they shot the doco. The Archibald deadline is March 30 but I finished it a week ahead of schedule. And then I got an email from the Archie Committee. You guessed it: ‘Due to the Coronavirus the competition has been postponed, and submissions are delayed until further notice’.
“Anyway I’ve done my month of self isolation, now what? It’s called ‘Jo has one for Mo’. Hope we get in, apparently it’s a tough nut to crack, stay tuned.”
20 Comments
you captured something great there.
break a leg!
Its all Georges fault, Thanks Guys.
Jo looks brilliant Dad!
FYI fiancée is still stoked with George.
Thanks Simon and Lex, Its all Georges fault!
Lovely Mike.
Jo has such a great face and his honesty shines through the glint in his eyes.
You’ve got a real knack for this portrait thing, Purple.
Thanks Monty, Ideal job sitting 10ft apart in isolation for the rest of my days, Its all Georges fault.
Lovely representation of an architypal modern Aussie. Mo’s empty glass makes it a fitting portrait of both men. Good luck Mike
Thanks Tim, The research with Jo was the best part getting Mo’s glass right.
Fabulous Mike,love the pic
Thanks Ronnie, Jo in his natural environment, his fave pub in Bondi, great research exercise.
Great work, Mike. And you’ve captured Jo’s cheeky grin perfectly.
Great stuff Mike. Loving your work mate.
Love the subtle ref to Mo. And as Mick said (or rather, sang) ‘Paint it black’. Archie or not, I think yr launched on a new career.
Spot on Mike. I’d recognise that beer anywhere.
Seriously, you have nailed that legendary twinkle.
Terrific work Mike. Hopefully it’ll make the cut whenever the Archie is back in action.
At last you are getting some well deserved recognition, Mike!
But, didn’t it all start in 1968, with your painting of John, for our wedding gift?
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Yes Wend that was the last time I picked a brushed and put it down for a squeaker!
Fabulous Mike! Love them both. xxx