KEY POINTS:
A portrait of musical group Crowded House's frontman Neil Finn, by Auckland artist Martin Ball, has won a top New South Wales award.
Ball's work was yesterday named the winner of the Archibald Packing Room Prize, chosen by New South Wales Art Gallery staff from a list of 40 finalists.
It is among 700 entries for the Archibald Prize, one of Australia's oldest and most prestigious art awards, which will be announced on March 7.
Ball won A$1000 ($1156) for his efforts.
"Neil Finn has written some of my favourite songs and so too has his brother Tim," Ball said.
"I was delighted when Neil agreed to be my portrait subject.
"In the portrait of Neil Finn I wanted to capture something of his individual and determined approach to making music."
Born in Auckland in 1952, Ball is known for his hyper-realistic paintings and drawings.
He studied at the University of Auckland School of Fine Arts and completed a masters degree there in 2001.
Ball has had regular solo exhibitions in New Zealand since 1975 and was represented in the 2005 and 2007 Archibald Prizes.
Organisers said the final cull for the Packing Room Prize was dominated by figures from the musical world, including Jon Farris of Australian group INXS.
- NZPA
