Artist accused of winning prize with ‘imitation’ won Australian award with piece ‘influenced’ by Basquiat

Australian artist Jane Allan is embroiled in controversy following accusations that her prize-winning artwork is an imitation. The Doyles art award committee stated that Allan's piece, 'Weight of the Mind's Periapt,' appeared to be an imitation of acclaimed Australian artist Nicholas Harding's work.

Further questions arose when the National Portrait Gallery acknowledged that Allan's painting, a finalist in the 2022 Darling Portrait Prize, showed clear influence from the iconic New York artist Jean-Michel Basquiat. Specifically, similarities were noted between Allan's work and Basquiat's 1982 piece, 'Untitled (Two Heads on Gold)'.

Basquiat's painting features two side-by-side, robot-like figures, characterized by spiky hair, distinctive facial features, and spindly arms. Allan's painting presents an almost identical figure, complete with similar outlining and spindly arms. Her artist notes describe the work as a portrait of her 'inspirational primary carer, Warren,' who supported her after a spinal cord injury.

The Doyles award committee, nearly a year after Allan won their prize, issued a statement last week regarding the Harding imitation allegation. Both Harding's 'Two Estuary Figures' and Allan's work depict two figures on a beach, with one bending down. The Guardian was unable to reach Allan for comment.

“

While the gallery regularly reviews the terms and conditions of its prizes, it has always required artists to declare that they are submitting an original artwork.