From Raygun to Peter Dutton, the Bald Archy pokes fun at significant Australian figures through satirical art

Raygun featured heavily among this year's entrants to the satirical Bald Archy prize. (ABC News: Nick Haggarty)

By Lottie Twyford

From an infamous breakdance on the world stage at the Paris Olympic Games, Rachel "Raygun" Gunn's moves have been immortalised on the satirical canvas at this year's Bald Archy. 

Now in its 29th year, the prize, which is a parody of the esteemed Archibald Prize, invites artists to poke fun at a significant person or moment from the past 12 months. 

No fewer than five of the 2025 finalists picked Raygun, who announced she was retiring from breaking after the backlash she received after the 2024 Olympic Games, as their satirical target.

She faced widespread criticism and bullying after scoring no points for her performance.

One of the paintings suggested a unique way she may have come up with the moves, by hanging her underwear on the washing line. 

Politicians an easy target for satire

Peter Dutton was depicted as a breaker himself, but could also be found as Nosferatu and as a character in Mad Max: Fury Road.

Meanwhile, Barnaby Joyce’s night-time misadventure that left him flat on his back on a Canberra street swearing into his phone was also parodied. 

Senator Lidia Thorpe’s protest against King Charles’ visit to Australia also found its way onto a canvas, as did the Royals themselves.

Meanwhile, Gina Rinehart was to be seen floating on a kangaroo inflatable in a pool under the Eiffel Tower while Olympic athletes trained behind her — a nod to her sponsorship of some of the codes.

As ever, Australian sporting stars from many different codes, comedians and media personalities were also celebrated.

Peter Dutton featured heavily among this year's finalists. (ABC News: Nick Haggarty)

Prize about laughter and parody, not hate

The Bald Archy was founded in 1994 by Peter Batey, who chose his own pet cockatoo, Professor Maude, to judge a winner. 

Mr Batey passed away in 2019, and the running of the prize has since been taken over by the Museum of the Riverina.

As now-manger Luke Grealy explained, Maude is still firmly in charge of picking a winner, which is something she's been doing over FaceTime from her tree on a farm in Coolac, where she now sits above Mr Batey's grave, for the past couple of years. 

This year, her judging, which she does by flapping her wings and squawking in front of the painting she likes best, was back in person. 

Mr Grealy said while Maude was partial to "the colour blue", she otherwise liked things that made her laugh. 

First published at ABC News, February 8, 2025

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