Tim won the 2012 Archibald Prize for a 'faceless' self-portrait entitled The Histrionic Wayfarer (after Bosch). His win proved a controversial choice by the judges. Storrier noted in the accompanying Art Gallery of New South Wales (AGNSW) text[2] "It refers to a painting by Hieronymus Bosch called The Wayfarer painted in c. 1510 where the figure is believed to be choosing a path or possibly the prodigal son returning ... It also has other references, I believe, but they are rather clouded in biblical history and time ... A carapace of burden is depicted in [...] The histrionic wayfarer, clothed in the tools to sustain the intrigue of a metaphysical survey. Provisions, art materials, books, papers, bedding, compass and maps, all for the journey through the landscape of the artist's mind, accompanied by Smudge [the dog], the critic and guide of the whole enterprise", said Storrier.
The AGNSW text notes, "Though there is no face to identify him, Storrier believes that identity is made clear by the clothes and equipment carried. Storrier has included a drawing of himself in the painting, scribbled on a piece of paper being blown away by the wind".[3] Storrier's "Wayfarer" is one of his later career figurative subjects and other examples can be seen in his In Absentia series.[4]
He is the recipient of several awards including the Sir John Sulman Prize in 1968 for Suzy 350 at age 19 and again in 1984 for The Burn and the Archibald Prize in 2012 for the Histrionic Wayfarer (after Bosch). At nineteen, Storrier was the youngest artist to win the Sulman Prize. He was a finalist in the 2011 Archibald Prize and also in the Wynne Prize 2012[7] for his painting The Dalliance.[8] He was the winner of the 2014 Packing Room Prize.
Documentary
Tim Storrier in Brewarrina by Gary Grealy, 2015
In 1993, Storrier was the subject of the documentary film Lighting Fires which aired on ABC television.[9] In 1994, he was awarded an Order of Australia (AM) for services to art.
