"Fabian LoSchiavo"
[Double Portrait]
Kerry Wright
1993
Oils on Canvas
183cm x 122cm (6ft x 4ft)
Fabian LoSchiavo (1949-2023) was a culturally significant, legendary, iconic gay Australian, at the height of his fame when he agreed to sit for me to paint his portrait in 1993. It was entered in the 1994 Archibald Prize at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. Fabian precisely complied with the provisions for entry into the Archibald Prize, in his capacity as Mother Inferior of the Sydney Chapter of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. Alas, it was not shortlisted. Instead, it was entered into the 1994 OutArt Exhibition as part of the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras festivities that year. The opening night was a glittering occasion with Fabian in attendance in full habit, where he and his portrait were received with warm approval and applause.
