Vincent Fantauzzo

Vincent Fantauzzo completed a Master of Fine Art at RMIT University in 2005 having previously aquired a Bachelor of Fine Art (Painting) at RMIT University in 2003. Fantauzzo has been shortlisted twice for the prestigious Archibald Prize at the AGNSW and twice won the Peoples Choice, firstly, with his amazing portrait Heath in 2008, and again in 2009 with his portrait of Brandon. Fantauzzo has been finalist in many National Prizes including the Arthur Guy Award, Poimena Art Prize Tasmania, The Prometheous Art Prize the Metro 5 Prize and The Conrad Jupiter Art Award. In 2006 he was a finalist in the RIPE art Prize ( ANZ Private BANK and Art & Australia Contemporary Art Award ) Major solo exhibitions comprise the Nature of Fate Dusk Gallery, Mumbai, India The Melbourne Artfair Royal Exhibition Building Scrutiny 2008 and in 2009 Inner Conflict at Dianne Tanzer Gallery Fantauzzo's works are held in the collections of the Art Gallery of New South Wales , Myer Art Collection, Tolarno Art Collection and RMIT University . <

Exhibitions

Inner conflict - 2009

Vincent Fantauzzo's Inner Conflict is a gateway, a key, to the many locked and imperceptible layers of creativity. Fantuazzo presents us with a narrative rich with history and easily stereotyped; that of the inner life of the artist. The much derided tortured and conflicted genius, struggling to express the weight of creation. However, these well worn conventions do not bear this work far. Consider the amalgamation of history expressed here - figurative painting, an ages honed system of immense structure and space, alongside contemporary artistic discourse - the process of cognition. Fantuazzo builds us this bipolar landscape in order for us to grasp a true conflict that all those engaged in creative practice face; the weight of history and our ultimate lack of power over it and ourselves. Violence, raw animal instinct - this is our initial point of recognition for Inner Conflict. We recognize that which we know exists within in ourselves. But this is more than a simple depiction of extremes; who does not recognize the seated figure, head tilted, hands clasped. Fantauzzo's struggle is here, bare faced and unadorned; how far do we let ourselves go? Do we sit, as the detached voyeur, or do we lose ourselves in the process, in the moment of the literal and truly real occurring? In our darkest moments, are we approaching the sublime? Fantuazzo depicts these questions in a tradition of staggering ability and vision. Actively engaged with the Italian renaissance's breakthroughs in light and perspective, Fantauzzo re-appropriates these epochal tools in order to illuminate a larger whole. We see an adrenaline fuelled, bare-knuckled brawl. Ultimately, this is a universal and wholly apt metaphor. Whenever we create, we struggle. What is creation without struggle? We struggle against ourselves, against the past, against the limits of our cognitive horizons. Fantuazzo pulls us off the sidewalk and into the fight. And in letting ourselves go, surrendering to instinct and probing the architecture of our minds, we may actually glimpse the space of creativity. It is infinite. Shae Nagorcka

Archibald Prize - 2009

We are proud to announce VINCENT FANTAUZZO has been selected as a finalist in the 2009 Archibald Prize.

Melbourne Art Fair - 2008

Vincent Fantauzzo - Melbourne Art Fair Installation Shot

Archibald Finalist - 2008

"Heath was an inspiring and remarkable friend, son, and father. I was honoured that he offered to sit for me, as my model for the Archibald prize (Australia's leading portrait prize). Heath was a very private person, which is one of the reasons I was so honoured that he allowed me to paint him. We had been meaning to do the sit for the portrait for the past 3 years. Heath sat for the painting in December 2007. He was so easy, and professional to work with. He didn't need any direction. Absolutely focussed. We had discussed the idea for the painting together - about artist's being the object of public scrutiny and everybody wanting a peice of you. It was a concept that I had visited in a previous self portrait, and Heath being an amazing actor, understood the concept well and was able to translate that visually. Once done, he was back to his usual charismatic self. Heath was not drinking nor was he interested in taking any drugs. Heath spoke very positively about his future and future plans. I believe his passing was an accident. He has a very loving family, a very proud mother who told me how proud she is of him and what a great cook he is while making us crumpets in the morning. His father was his hero, his daughter and sisters the loves of his life and he was a very loyal friend to all that new him. He was always there to help his close friends in their many creative projects. My thoughts are with his family, and friends who must all be feeling such pain at the moment. Its a hard time, a sad time, and I hope everyone can find a way to focus on the good memories and move forward in a positive direction. We all love Heath dearly. After the Archibald prize the painting will given to Heath's mother." Vincent Fantauzzo 2008

Scrutiny - 2008

scrutiny: 1. a searching examination or investigation; minute inquiry. 2. surveillance; close and continuous watching or guarding. 3. a close and searching look.

Nature of Fate - 2007

I am specifically interested in the artists of the Italian Renaissance and the vanishing art of figurative painting. Over the past 6 years I have studied traditional painting techniques, particularly as they relate to the use of light and perspective. While my interest in the traditional aspects of painting is fixed in the past, I believe my work has a distinctly modern aesthetic that prevents it from falling into simple repetition of existing styles. In this series of paintings I have explored the concept of the multiplicity of fate and the way in which any individual is required to make decisions and, accordingly, take action, without always having an opportunity to consider the possible consequences. I have drawn particular inspiration from mythology and literature: the stories in which one, seemingly insignificant decision sets a series of events in motion, altering the central characters lives profoundly. The timeless quality of these stories and their continuing popularity in the 21st Century speaks of the universal nature of human existence. No matter where or when we are born, whether we are rich or poor, we are all required to deal with the capricious nature of fate. I have aimed to capture a pivotal moment where the subject is either about to make a life changing decision or has just realised the significance of their actions. I find the use of classical painting techniques such as foreshortening and chiaroscuro lend the most mundane scene a monumental quality, capturing a sense of the underlying drama that exists in every person's life.

Vincent Fantauzzo - Portrait of Dorian Grey

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