Common man for common problem

For Stanwell Park artist Michael Mucci, winning the Packing Room Prize at the prestigious Archibalds with his portrait of Backyard Blitz TV personality Scott Cam is more about the opportunities it will create than the award itself.

“It will give me the opportunity to paint about issues close to my heart,” said the Sydney Morning Herald graphic designer and cartoonist.

One of those issues is children’s rights and Michael has developed a relationship with UNICEF through the Herald’s education website. UNICEF Art to Heart provides students in Kindergarten to year 12 with the opportunity to explore contemporary social issues while developing their skills in visual literacy.

“Through my art, I can make a comment and draw attention to human rights,” Michael said.

It was Michael’s high school friendship with Scott Cam that led him to ask the TV personality to sit (or stand, as the case may be) for a portrait.

The result is so life-like, it’s hard to tell the two apart and the staff at the Art Gallery of NSW who unpack the entries decided it was the best of the lot.

The Packing Room Prize is often regarded as more prestigious than the Archibald’s themselves as it is the common person’s perspective on art.

Scott Cam certainly represents the common man and the many friends and acquaintances who reached out to congratulate “Mooch” after his exciting win showed he has the common touch.