Artist Hazel Moore and subject Robert “Robbo” Greenwood celebrate the opening night of the Cooktown Archies portraiture exhibition. Photo: Supplied.
Cooktown’s resident town crier is usually seen leading the annual Discovery Festival parade, greeting tourists as they come off the boat or reciting a poem. But his infectious personality has now been showcased on the gallery wall for the first time.
Robert “Robbo” Greenwood was one of the many faces curated at the Elizabeth Guzsley Gallery when the third Cooktown School of Art Society (CSAS) Archies exhibition opened on 26 September.
With the Archies exhibition all about celebrating Cooktown characters, artist Hazel Moore said Mr Greenwood’s town crier garb piqued her interest.
“I really like seeing him dressed up and thought I’d like to paint him in a way that showed his personality. I think this does,” she said.
“He’s a larger-than-life, extroverted person, always cheerful, he’s got a lot of character in his face… I thought he’d make a good subject.”
Ms Moore said portraiture was her favourite style because it provided a challenge.
“I think everybody’s face is beautiful. When you’re painting it, you always see something really interesting or good about it,” she said.
“Trying to recreate that in light and shade, and hoping you get it right, is the challenge. It’s a very personal point of view, and of course, everybody sees things a little bit differently.
“You can draw a tree or a hill and nobody can really say whether it’s right or wrong. But we’re so used to looking at people’s faces in much more detail than we realise – even an eye a fraction out of place or a slightly larger or smaller nose is immediately noticed.”
In true “Robbo” spirit, Mr Greenwood attended the opening night in full costume and treated guests to one of his poetry readings, convincing Cooktown School of Art Society (CSAS) president Jane Dennis to incorporate poetry in future exhibitions.
“I left this year’s theme as Cooktown Characters or Cape Characters, but I think there’ll be a bit more of a guiding theme next year,” she said.
“Inspired by Robbo, I thought we should get the word out we’d do poets and musicians.”
2025 Cooktown Archies winners
Youth 7 yrs to 13 yrs
1st: Mia Auld
Encouragement: Ezra Jones, Zyra Jones
Youth 14 yrs to 18 yrs
1st: Holly Clarke
Encouragement: Sienna Russell, James Jarmyn
Adult – Realistic
1st: Daniel Hodgson
Encouragement: Jane Dennis
Adult – Abstract
1st: Jane Dennis
Encouragement: Ejypt Reuben
Adult – Other
1st: Diana Burns
Encouragement: Renee Schneider
“Robbo” by artist Hazel Moore. Photo: Supplied.
