Vincent Fantauzzo captures Cup heroes

Vincent Fantauzzo’s journey to becoming an artist was anything but straightforward. Growing up in Broadmeadows in the 1980s, the son of Irish and Italian migrants, he endured poverty, undiagnosed dyslexia, and the stigma of being the “naughty kid.” After leaving school as a teenager, he drifted through various jobs and fell in with the wrong crowds. It was boxing – and a trainer who encouraged him to pursue his passion for painting – that set him on a new path. “Painting changed my life,” Fantauzzo said. “It was the one thing that came naturally to me. I’ve got ADHD and dyslexia – there are a lot of things I don’t do well – but painting is the most natural thing I can do, and I just love it.”

That passion led him to RMIT’s Bachelor of Fine Arts program, which progressed into a Master of Fine Arts and an international career. His work has been displayed in top galleries worldwide, he has his own gallery in South Yarra, and a Brisbane hotel bears his name and houses 500 of his original artworks and giclée prints. Known for his striking portraiture, Fantauzzo has painted friends, celebrities and well-known public figures. His portraits have been described as more than just likenesses; they capture the essence of those he paints.

This quality now shines through in his latest racing portraits. When painting Michelle Payne, Fantauzzo recalls still glimpsing “the little girl with big dreams,” alongside the fierce competitiveness that propelled her into Melbourne Cup history in 2015.

“She had to have that spirit, growing up in such a big family and pursuing such a tough career. I saw a cheekiness and a spark there. She reminds me a bit of Ash Barty – super competitive but also very smart, with a mission in her mind.” Filled with inspiration after meeting Michelle at Flemington, he threw himself into her portrait, working through the night to capture her personality on canvas.

His process is immersive yet enjoyable. When we spoke in September, Fantauzzo was close to finishing both works, though he continued painting even during our conversation. “I’ve got the paintings to a point now where I’m just enjoying it.” He might take hundreds of photographs when he meets his subject, but insists the true portrait comes from the connections he forms. “It’s tempting to work off the photos, but I don’t. I need to get to know the person, see them, connect with them. That’s what brings the painting to life.”

With Knight’s Choice, this involved a morning observing the horse in its environment. “I wanted to capture him as an athlete,” he explains. “I saw him just after trackwork, veins and muscles standing out, then again when he’d relaxed. It was like seeing a footballer at half-time – still in the zone.” Meeting the strapper and the team working closely with the horse was equally important. 

“Discovering the horse’s personality through the people who love him shaped how I painted him.”Despite his friendships within racing circles, including the late Michael Gudinski and Nick and Lloyd Williams, Fantauzzo admits he only truly discovered the Melbourne Cup Carnival last year. “I grew up in Broadmeadows but had never been. Then, I went and saw its impact – it was amazing. It’s not just racing; it’s hospitality, fashion, and food. The whole city comes together, showcasing Melbourne to the world. It’s one of the most glamorous moments of the year.”

He speaks warmly of racing’s broader influence, noting how the Carnival unites generations and offers opportunities across the community. While eager to see some of his friends – who are among Melbourne’s top chefs – creating magic at the Carnival, he is equally as pleased for “the kid in hospitality who gets to work at
the Melbourne Cup.”

Horses have long been part of his life, even if he hasn’t always been a racegoer. Fantauzzo rides himself, and he and his wife, actress Asher Keddie, keep retired racehorses that their children adore. “We’ve got three now. They’re part of the family.” That affection for the animals permeates his work and is why this project feels so personal.

His enthusiasm for his new connection to racing is also obvious. “I feel lucky,” he says. “Lucky that painting has taken me around the world, lucky that it brings me into these moments. I love people liking art, and I love getting along with people. To now bring that to racing is really special.”

When he reflects on late nights finishing Payne’s portrait or consulting friends about Knight’s Choice’s expression, it’s clear that Fantauzzo is discovering racing much like he once discovered painting – with curiosity, enthusiasm, and a desire to capture its spirit on canvas. As he says, “There are so many amazing people in racing who are passionate about horses. I wanted to be part of celebrating that.”