Japanese Finalist in the 2020 Archibald Prize, Yuri Shimmyo

Japanese artist, Yuri Shimmyo often takes inspirations from her surroundings Source: Yuri Shimmyo

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Two Japanese artists, Yuri Shimmyo and Yoshio Honjo were finalists in Australia's oldest and most prestigious portrait competition, Archibald Prize. Following our last interview with tattoo artist, Yoshio Honjo, we present you Yuri Shimmyo who has called Australia home for the past 42 years.

Highlights

Possibly the first Japanese artists to be named finalist in the Archibald
Yuri had the title in her mind for many years
Her work was rejected in two other competitions before been named the Archibald finalist

Australia's most talked about portrait prize, the Archibald received record braking 1068 portraits in 2020. The 55 finalists this year, included not one, but two Japanese artists, Yoshio Honjo and Yuri Shimmyo.

According to the Art Gallery of NSW, although the artist's heritage were not recorded over its long history, and one can only guess from the names of the artists, it is however very rare and possibly a first, for the Archibald to name Japanese artists as the finalist.

Following our last interview with Yoshio Honjo, a tattoo artist, we present you Yuri Shimmyo, who has called Australia home for the past 42 years.

Japanese tattoo artist, 2020 Archibald Prize Finalist

Japanese Archibald Prize 2020 finalist Yuri Shimmyo

Archibald Prize 2020 finalist Yuri Shimmyo Carnation, lily, Yuri, rose oil on canvas, 27.5 x 23 cm © the artist Source: AGNSW, Mim Stirling

It is a second time, that Yuri entered the Archibald prize. The first was 15 years ago, where she painted a doctor, who was also a dear friend.

Yuri decided to enter the Archibald once again this year, as not only was she happy and satisfied with her work, the timing of its completion was perfect.

In fact, the title, "Carnation, lily, Yuri, rose was in my mind for many years" says Yuri. Inspired by John Singer Sargent's work "Carnation, lily, lily, rose" , Yuri envisioned her self-portrait, with the title "Carnation, lily, Yuri, rose" , replacing "lily" with her name "Yuri" which literally translates to lily.

Yuri entered two other competitions with this portrait, but was "rejected" she laughs.

"The Archibald often features famous faces as sitters, and are most often large work with great impact. So I was very surprised to be named the finalist"

Yuri's self-portrait measures only 27.5cm by 23cm including its frame. Compare this to this year's winner, Vincent Namatjra's "Stand strong for who you are" measuring at 152cm by 198cm, one can see the mini scale of Yuri's work.

Yuri Shimmyo Japanese Archibald Finalist

Yuri was in denial about the selection until she saw her own work at the Art Gallery of NSW Source: Yuri Shimmyo

Yuri says although she is never conscious about it, people often comment that her work has a " Japanese-like perspective". And perhaps its is this "Japanese nature" that has won the heart of the selectors.

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