Every year, the Photographic Archibald Portrait Prize receives thousands of entries from all over Australia. In 2006, Christopher Tovo’s portrait of Mark Brandon “Chopper” Read (retired hit and standover man) was among 32 finalists selected to be exhibited at the ArtGallery of NSW.
“Using light and shadow, it was important for me to highlight the two sides of Mark, and steer away from all the clichés associated with him. I just wanted to produce a serious portrait. There are two sides to everyone and it’s no secret that Mark has a dark past. What is not advertised, is that he is also a family man who enjoys the simple joys of fatherhood.”