Doctor's portrait entered in Archibald Prize

A patient's growing bond with his heart specialist during a life-changing treatment journey has inspired a portrait entry in one of Australia's most prestigious art awards.

Sydney-based artist William Barry hopes to become a finalist in the 2024 Archibald Prize with his painting of Associate Professor Pramesh Kovoor, a cardiologist at Westmead Private Hospital.

Titled 'Faceless to Friend', it represents their relationship since meeting three years ago when he was treated for atrial fibrillation – severe weakening of the heart muscle from an irregular heartbeat.

"It depicts my healthcare journey, where not only was I given my life back but the humanity shown by Professor Kovoor throughout my hospital stays has turned him from at first a caring stranger to now a lifelong friend," Mr Barry said.

"The care shown to me when I was in hospital was world class. It inspired 'Faceless to Friend' and gave me lasting respect for our healthcare workers."

A/Prof Kovoor said he was "very honoured" to be the subject of the painting.

"I understood from William that he was doing my portrait to describe his gratitude to all the healthcare professionals across Australia, especially at Westmead Private Hospital," he said.

"I sincerely hope that he wins the Archibald Prize."

This year's Archibald finalists and the Packing Room Prize – voted for by staff at the Art Gallery of New South Wales – will be announced on Thursday 30 May 2024. 

The painting features three depictions of A/Prof Kovoor – hidden behind a mask, in his scrubs, and smiling in the foreground – along with the hospital's Emergency Department sign, a blurred ambulance, and an Automated External Defibrillator (AED).

"The speeding ambulance represents the hectic pace of healthcare and multiple emergencies it has to deal with," Mr Barry said.

"The AED represents Professor Kovoor's work with Greg Page, the original Yellow Wiggle, to promote availability and use of AEDs across Australia for cardiac arrests in the community. It has also been used on me multiple times."

A/Prof Kovoor has been working with Mr Page to promote heart safety awareness since the children's entertainer's cardiac arrest at a Wiggles charity concert in Sydney in 2020.

"Every minute counts when someone experiences a sudden cardiac arrest," A/Prof Kovoor said.

"Having defibrillators readily available in public settings significantly increases the chances of survival, delivering a shock that is intended to restore the heart to its normal rhythm."

Read more: Sydney hospital adds new robotic arm

Read more: Shark victim praises hospital's 'humanity'

Next On The Ground:
28/5/2024 Teddy Bears' Picnic 'like a family reunion'

Previous On The Ground:
14/5/2024 Rehab miracle: 'Angels made me whole again'