Heath Ledger adorns a suite.Credit: CIERAN MURPHY
Received wisdom states that artists achieve fame only in death. However, Melbourne painter and photographer Vincent Fantauzzo, best known for his portraits of prominent Australians, is bucking the trend, and is currently in Brisbane, hanging his own artworks in The Fantauzzo hotel, which opens on March 26.
In a lifestyle less "freezing garret'', more "five-star hotel", The Fantauzzo is the eighth hotel in the Art Series collection, which dedicates each of its properties to the work of a single artist, including leading painters Charles Blackman and John Olsen.
The Fantauzzo joins Melbourne's quintet of art-themed hotels including the Larwill and the Cullen, the Watson in Adelaide and becomes Brisbane's second Art Series hotel after The Johnson, in Spring Hill. Rumour has it that the obvious gap in Sydney will be filled, with a NSW property in the pipeline.
Vincent Fantauzzo with his portraits of his wife, actor Asher Keddie, and actor Heath Ledger.
The hotel group, now owned by French giant Accor, says it was Fantauzzo's photorealism style and his mission to make art accessible that sealed the four-times' winner of the Archibald People's Choice Award as the hoteliers' choice.
Fantauzzo painted the official portrait of former prime minister Julia Gillard, which now hangs in Parliament House, and his depiction of Heath Ledger weeks before the actor's death. Prints of both works are on the hotel's art inventory, which lists up to 200 original artworks and giclee prints being placed throughout the 166 guestrooms by the artist and his wife, the actor Asher Keddie, and creating halls (or hotel corridors) of fame with such subjects as director Baz Luhrmann, chef George Calombaris and Keddie herself.
Instead of art, the sights from the rooftop pool and the gym are of the city skyline and the Brisbane River: the hotel is located in Brisbane's newest precinct, the newly restored Howard Smith Wharves on the waterfront.
The Fantauzzo commences soft opening on March 26, with the official opening on May 2. Opening specials include stays from $279, see artserieshotels.com.au
Sign up for the Traveller newsletter
The latest travel news, tips and inspiration delivered to your inbox. Sign up now.