A portrait of Kings Cross identity John Ibrahim has been selected among the finalists for the 2024 Archibald Prize.
The painting of the former nightclub owner by Sydney artist Oliver Watts is among the 57 finalists vying for the prestigious prize.
The artwork made the shortlist from a total of 1,005 entries and the winner will be carefully selected by staff at the Art Gallery of NSW.
It is up against portraits of Hollywood stars Jacob Elordi and Anthony LaPaglia, activist Julian Assange, author Tim Winton and The Wiggles’ Anthony Field, among others.
Mr Ibrahim has been asked to sit for portraits before but finally agreed when he was approached on the set of Last King of the Cross, a TV drama based off his autobiography.
A portrait of Kings Cross identity John Ibrahim (pictured in 2010) has been selected among the finalists for the 2024 Archibald Prize
Three-time Archibald finalist Mr Watts made contact with Mr Ibrahim through his friends who were working on the set, and he agreed to sit for the artwork.
‘I’m thrilled to be a part, even in a small way, of such a prestigious event,’ Mr Ibrahim told the Daily Telegraph of the portrait being selected as an Archibald Prize finalist.
Meanwhile, Mr Watts added of his painting: ‘I placed [Mr Ibrahim] in his old stomping ground. Set on Kellett Street after dark, the portrait uses the style of a British society portrait.’
Mr Ibrahim’s 2017 autobiography inspired the Paramount+ drama series Last King of the Cross, which has been commissioned for a second run after its global success.
The first series of the popular crime drama aired in February 2023 to huge popularity and filming for the show’s second season kicked off in Sydney earlier this year.
The painting of the former nightclub owner by Sydney artist Oliver Watts (pictured) has been selected among the 57 finalists vying for the prestigious prize
The series sees actors Lincoln Younes and Claude Jabbour star as brothers John and Sam Ibrahim, while Tess Haubrich plays Detective Liz Doyle.
British actor Tim Roth, who scored an Oscar nomination for the film Rob Roy in 1995, plays fictional crime boss Ezra Shipman on the show.
Matt Nable also stars as Big Tony, while Uli Latukefu plays Tongan Sam and Janet Anderson portrays Simone.
Lead actor Lincoln nabbed the role of John after an exhaustive search which went on for almost two years.
The eight-part second season is expected to take the story into the 2000s with John expanding his ‘club empire’, while his family dynamics are also set to take centre stage in the plot.
Mr Ibrahim’s 2017 autobiography inspired the Paramount+ drama series Last King of the Cross, which has been commissioned for a second run after its huge success
Dave Hoey will join the cast as younger brother Michael Ibrahim, while newcomer Alex Kaan is also set to take on the role of Fadi.
Helium Pictures’ Mark Fennessy told TV Tonight: ‘We’re super excited to continue the story of Last King of The Cross – bringing more extreme and fascinating untold stories of John Ibrahim and his family.
‘Season two will surprise and thrill our audience in unexpected ways as we enter the seductive, dangerous, and ecstasy-fuelled world of the early 2000s.’
According to Variety, the 10-part first season of the show was sold into multiple overseas territories including Germany, Italy, the UK, and Ireland.
The Ibrahim brothers were prominent figures in Sydney’s nightclub district and the series explores key events in their lives, including John’s near fatal stabbing.
