1 00:00:14,980 --> 00:00:16,500 Hello. 2 00:00:16,500 --> 00:00:16,740 Australian Story first met celebrated artist Vincent Fantauzzo Hello. 3 00:00:16,740 --> 00:00:21,060 Australian Story first met celebrated artist Vincent Fantauzzo 4 00:00:21,060 --> 00:00:22,540 six years ago. 5 00:00:22,540 --> 00:00:25,420 But back then, there was a key part of his story 6 00:00:25,420 --> 00:00:25,660 But back then, there was that he couldn't talk about. 7 00:00:25,660 --> 00:00:27,900 that he couldn't talk about. 8 00:00:27,900 --> 00:00:31,140 Coming on the program started a process for Vincent 9 00:00:31,140 --> 00:00:34,700 of facing some dark truths about his childhood 10 00:00:34,700 --> 00:00:37,220 in a way he hadn't been able to previously. 11 00:00:38,300 --> 00:00:41,940 Vincent's giving his sons a very different upbringing 12 00:00:41,940 --> 00:00:42,940 to his own, 13 00:00:42,940 --> 00:00:45,460 with the help of an unexpected father figure. 14 00:00:52,260 --> 00:00:55,780 VINCENT FANTAUZZO: I chased approval from my dad my whole life. 15 00:00:56,940 --> 00:00:58,860 He wasn't there. He didn't kick a ball. 16 00:00:58,860 --> 00:00:59,100 He wasn't there. He didn't pay any attention. 17 00:00:59,100 --> 00:01:01,620 He didn't pay any attention. 18 00:01:01,620 --> 00:01:04,860 The only time I heard from him is when he needed something. 19 00:01:07,020 --> 00:01:10,500 When he passed away, it was like being at the wrong person's funeral. 20 00:01:11,740 --> 00:01:14,940 He is a person that kind of neglected, abused, you know, 21 00:01:14,940 --> 00:01:17,700 caused all sorts of emotional conflict, 22 00:01:17,700 --> 00:01:20,220 and we're celebrating him in front of people. 23 00:01:20,220 --> 00:01:21,220 It pissed me off. 24 00:01:21,220 --> 00:01:21,460 And I just grabbed the microphone It pissed me off. 25 00:01:21,460 --> 00:01:26,340 And I just grabbed the microphone from the priest and I said, 26 00:01:26,340 --> 00:01:29,100 "I don't know who you're talking about, but it's not my dad." 27 00:01:31,020 --> 00:01:33,580 ASHER KEDDIE: Vincent's relationship with his father 28 00:01:33,580 --> 00:01:37,740 left such a gaping hole inside him for so many years, 29 00:01:37,740 --> 00:01:40,540 and to an extent, still does. 30 00:01:42,180 --> 00:01:46,060 I still feel like I can fix my relationship with him. 31 00:01:46,060 --> 00:01:50,620 It's partly why I chose to buy his car back, 32 00:01:50,620 --> 00:01:55,180 which I know he loved but couldn't afford to maintain it. 33 00:01:56,460 --> 00:01:58,420 And now I'm doing it for him. 34 00:01:59,820 --> 00:02:02,300 It's a conflicted feeling. 35 00:02:02,300 --> 00:02:05,180 Like, "Fuck you, but will you still like me?" 36 00:02:06,580 --> 00:02:10,420 The thing is...he loved his dad... 37 00:02:11,860 --> 00:02:17,140 ..and so he wanted to find a way to connect with him one last time. 38 00:02:18,260 --> 00:02:23,340 But it also led to some pretty big truths being spoken. 39 00:02:23,340 --> 00:02:23,580 (IGNITION SPLUTTERS, RUMBLES) But it also led to some pretty big truths being spoken. 40 00:02:23,580 --> 00:02:28,380 (IGNITION SPLUTTERS, RUMBLES) 41 00:02:32,940 --> 00:02:34,420 (TRAM BELL DINGS) 42 00:02:45,020 --> 00:02:46,380 Vincent is an empath. 43 00:02:46,380 --> 00:02:50,900 He's very sensitive to people's energy, 44 00:02:50,900 --> 00:02:56,220 and I think that contributes to his incredible gift for painting. 45 00:02:58,740 --> 00:03:00,980 I love people. 46 00:03:00,980 --> 00:03:02,100 When I'm painting someone, 47 00:03:02,100 --> 00:03:06,620 I want to truly understand what the person is. 48 00:03:07,580 --> 00:03:09,180 And I think my childhood 49 00:03:09,180 --> 00:03:10,580 kind of helped with that. 50 00:03:14,140 --> 00:03:16,860 He doesn't want people to hide. 51 00:03:16,860 --> 00:03:17,100 Yet he himself hid so much for so many years. He doesn't want people to hide. 52 00:03:17,100 --> 00:03:21,020 Yet he himself hid so much for so many years. 53 00:03:21,020 --> 00:03:25,900 It's kind of an interesting... contradiction in a way. 54 00:03:28,660 --> 00:03:32,500 About six years ago, I appeared on Australian Story. 55 00:03:32,500 --> 00:03:32,740 About six years ago, We mainly focussed on my dyslexia, 56 00:03:32,740 --> 00:03:36,740 We mainly focussed on my dyslexia, 57 00:03:36,740 --> 00:03:40,620 but I didn't tell the whole truth about my life. 58 00:03:42,060 --> 00:03:45,540 I think Vinnie came to a point where he... 59 00:03:47,140 --> 00:03:50,300 ..really felt an overwhelming need to 60 00:03:50,300 --> 00:03:54,180 expose how he was feeling and what he was struggling with, 61 00:03:54,180 --> 00:03:58,780 and it took a really long time for him to do that, even with me. 62 00:04:00,260 --> 00:04:02,460 I wrote a book recently. 63 00:04:02,460 --> 00:04:06,780 Because of my dyslexia, I used a ghost-writer, who was incredible. 64 00:04:06,780 --> 00:04:07,020 Because of my dyslexia, I used It was very therapeutic. 65 00:04:07,020 --> 00:04:09,340 It was very therapeutic. 66 00:04:09,340 --> 00:04:11,300 It also just made me face truths, 67 00:04:11,300 --> 00:04:15,820 which I don't think a lot of my family may have faced, 68 00:04:15,820 --> 00:04:18,060 and that's probably... they might not like my book. 69 00:04:18,060 --> 00:04:21,900 So each chapter of the book, I've done a sketch 70 00:04:21,900 --> 00:04:22,140 So each chapter of the book, to give context to the story. 71 00:04:22,140 --> 00:04:24,700 to give context to the story. 72 00:04:24,700 --> 00:04:29,780 I think often about what Vincent's life could have become 73 00:04:29,780 --> 00:04:30,020 I think often about what as opposed to what he's created. 74 00:04:30,020 --> 00:04:32,900 as opposed to what he's created. 75 00:04:32,900 --> 00:04:34,700 It's pretty frightening, really. 76 00:04:35,340 --> 00:04:37,900 (DOG BARKS) 77 00:04:42,980 --> 00:04:46,980 I grew up firstly in Broadmeadows and Glenroy, around that area. 78 00:04:48,100 --> 00:04:51,020 It was very rough. 79 00:04:51,020 --> 00:04:52,500 It was like the Wild West. 80 00:04:53,540 --> 00:04:58,780 This is the first time I've been back here in 25, 30 years or something... 81 00:04:58,780 --> 00:05:01,260 (DOG BARKS) ..and it feels exactly the same. 82 00:05:04,100 --> 00:05:07,460 My parents, they got married very young. 83 00:05:08,860 --> 00:05:12,660 They started having kids, and had probably too many. (LAUGHS) 84 00:05:13,780 --> 00:05:17,660 WOMAN: We had five children, and Vincent was the middle one. 85 00:05:17,660 --> 00:05:17,900 WOMAN: We had five children, MAN: Vince, take your hat off. 86 00:05:17,900 --> 00:05:19,060 MAN: Vince, take your hat off. 87 00:05:20,340 --> 00:05:21,700 Hmm? 88 00:05:21,700 --> 00:05:21,940 We didn't have much money. We were pretty poor. Hmm? 89 00:05:21,940 --> 00:05:24,740 We didn't have much money. We were pretty poor. 90 00:05:24,740 --> 00:05:24,980 We didn't have much money. We struggled a lot. 91 00:05:24,980 --> 00:05:25,940 We struggled a lot. 92 00:05:25,940 --> 00:05:26,180 We struggled a lot. So what does that mean, Rose? I don't know. (LAUGHS) 93 00:05:26,180 --> 00:05:28,860 So what does that mean, Rose? I don't know. (LAUGHS) 94 00:05:28,860 --> 00:05:31,740 I wanted boundaries, and I never had them. 95 00:05:31,740 --> 00:05:31,980 I wanted boundaries, (KIDS LAUGH, CHATTER) 96 00:05:31,980 --> 00:05:33,300 (KIDS LAUGH, CHATTER) 97 00:05:33,300 --> 00:05:33,540 My mum was too busy to set boundaries (KIDS LAUGH, CHATTER) 98 00:05:33,540 --> 00:05:37,540 My mum was too busy to set boundaries and to keep an eye on us, 99 00:05:37,540 --> 00:05:40,340 and I kind of did whatever I wanted, and most of it was wrong. 100 00:05:42,220 --> 00:05:45,980 We'd go to the supermarket, and my dad would say, 101 00:05:45,980 --> 00:05:48,300 "Grab those batteries and put 'em in your pocket." 102 00:05:49,260 --> 00:05:52,580 He was teaching me the shit way of doing things in life. 103 00:05:54,980 --> 00:05:58,740 He was very controlling in a lot of ways. 104 00:05:58,740 --> 00:05:58,980 He was very controlling Financially, emotionally... 105 00:05:58,980 --> 00:06:00,980 Financially, emotionally... 106 00:06:02,820 --> 00:06:04,700 There was also a violence to my dad. 107 00:06:04,700 --> 00:06:09,580 Everyone lived in a little bit of fear that he could explode. 108 00:06:12,060 --> 00:06:15,100 ROSE: We actually split up, Claude and I, 109 00:06:15,100 --> 00:06:17,540 and after that, we, the children and I, 110 00:06:17,540 --> 00:06:19,780 lived in several houses around the area. 111 00:06:20,660 --> 00:06:21,820 It was very hard. 112 00:06:21,820 --> 00:06:23,580 (DOG BARKS) 113 00:06:23,580 --> 00:06:23,820 When he left, he purposely made it (DOG BARKS) 114 00:06:23,820 --> 00:06:27,860 When he left, he purposely made it very difficult for my mum. 115 00:06:27,860 --> 00:06:30,500 He stopped working, he closed his business down, 116 00:06:30,500 --> 00:06:32,500 because he didn't want to pay any child support. 117 00:06:32,500 --> 00:06:32,740 because he didn't want to pay Never paid one cent. 118 00:06:32,740 --> 00:06:33,860 Never paid one cent. 119 00:06:37,020 --> 00:06:41,860 At school, Vincent wasn't very good at reading and writing and maths. 120 00:06:41,860 --> 00:06:44,580 He just couldn't do it, and he would lose his temper with it. 121 00:06:45,700 --> 00:06:52,260 School was a place that I associate with hiding or shame 122 00:06:52,260 --> 00:06:52,500 School was a place that or low self-confidence. 123 00:06:52,500 --> 00:06:54,340 or low self-confidence. 124 00:06:56,020 --> 00:06:59,940 I couldn't do the work. I was in trouble every day. 125 00:06:59,940 --> 00:07:02,540 I honestly felt like I must be stupid. 126 00:07:03,900 --> 00:07:05,660 We didn't think about, 127 00:07:05,660 --> 00:07:05,900 "Has the child got ADH?" We didn't think about, 128 00:07:05,900 --> 00:07:09,060 "Has the child got ADH?" or, "Have they got dyslexia?" 129 00:07:09,060 --> 00:07:09,300 "Has the child got ADH?" That wasn't even an issue then. 130 00:07:09,300 --> 00:07:10,420 That wasn't even an issue then. 131 00:07:11,820 --> 00:07:12,980 I would sit in class 132 00:07:12,980 --> 00:07:16,020 and I would do caricatures of my friends or the teachers, 133 00:07:16,020 --> 00:07:17,700 and that would get a laugh. 134 00:07:17,700 --> 00:07:20,420 And I guess that's where art became appealing, 135 00:07:20,420 --> 00:07:25,460 because it came so naturally, and it gave me a sense of confidence. 136 00:07:25,460 --> 00:07:25,700 because it came so naturally, (PENCIL SCRATCHES) 137 00:07:25,700 --> 00:07:27,540 (PENCIL SCRATCHES) 138 00:07:29,700 --> 00:07:36,060 I left school very young, at 13, or...kind of got myself kicked out. 139 00:07:37,300 --> 00:07:39,500 I worked in kitchens and restaurants. 140 00:07:39,500 --> 00:07:41,660 You know, I had so many different jobs. 141 00:07:41,660 --> 00:07:45,340 I did concreting. I painted houses. 142 00:07:45,340 --> 00:07:47,740 (DOG BARKS) 143 00:07:47,740 --> 00:07:52,220 I tried to be this tough guy that people wouldn't mess with, 144 00:07:52,220 --> 00:07:52,460 I tried to be this tough guy so that meant fighting daily. 145 00:07:52,460 --> 00:07:55,860 so that meant fighting daily. 146 00:07:57,340 --> 00:08:00,820 You know, I ended up getting myself into quite a bit of trouble 147 00:08:00,820 --> 00:08:01,060 You know, I ended up getting myself with police and gangs. 148 00:08:01,060 --> 00:08:02,980 with police and gangs. 149 00:08:04,020 --> 00:08:07,220 I did a lot of bad stuff that I regret so much. 150 00:08:10,220 --> 00:08:11,580 I thought to myself, 151 00:08:11,580 --> 00:08:14,780 "Unless I hustle and do something really dodgy..." 152 00:08:14,780 --> 00:08:15,020 "Unless I hustle and do something Alright, stop it! 153 00:08:15,020 --> 00:08:16,180 Alright, stop it! 154 00:08:16,180 --> 00:08:19,980 "..the dream of being successful is a dream that I can't reach." 155 00:08:21,020 --> 00:08:22,660 "Unless I'm a criminal." 156 00:08:26,140 --> 00:08:29,300 There were a couple of things that kept me from 157 00:08:29,300 --> 00:08:31,820 going down that wrong fork in the road. 158 00:08:31,820 --> 00:08:34,340 One of them was boxing. 159 00:08:35,860 --> 00:08:38,380 ROSE: Vincent did some work with Jack Rennie, 160 00:08:38,380 --> 00:08:38,620 ROSE: Vincent did some work who taught him a lot of ethics. 161 00:08:38,620 --> 00:08:40,340 who taught him a lot of ethics. 162 00:08:40,340 --> 00:08:42,300 He was kind of like his mentor. 163 00:08:43,620 --> 00:08:47,660 Jack Rennie was a boxing coach that trained a lot of famous boxers. 164 00:08:47,660 --> 00:08:47,900 Jack Rennie was a boxing coach He taught me to fight my own fight, 165 00:08:47,900 --> 00:08:49,620 He taught me to fight my own fight, 166 00:08:49,620 --> 00:08:53,180 and he taught me to clean the gym if I want to keep training here, 167 00:08:53,180 --> 00:08:53,420 and he taught me to clean the gym 'cause I couldn't afford to pay. 168 00:08:53,420 --> 00:08:55,140 'cause I couldn't afford to pay. 169 00:08:55,140 --> 00:08:57,180 He taught me respect. 170 00:08:58,660 --> 00:09:00,980 For the first time I felt like 171 00:09:00,980 --> 00:09:03,460 you can have people in your life that are positive. 172 00:09:03,460 --> 00:09:04,540 They don't have to be your dad. 173 00:09:06,940 --> 00:09:11,980 I remember one time I did a painting to thank Jack Rennie. 174 00:09:11,980 --> 00:09:12,220 I remember one time I did a painting He was like, "What? What is this?" 175 00:09:12,220 --> 00:09:13,900 He was like, "What? What is this?" 176 00:09:13,900 --> 00:09:18,180 And I explained, "This is what I do, you know, in my spare time." 177 00:09:18,180 --> 00:09:21,820 And... (CHUCKLES) ..I remember him saying, um, 178 00:09:21,820 --> 00:09:26,340 "You're very good at boxing and you can make it all the way, 179 00:09:26,340 --> 00:09:28,860 "but you're probably even better at drawing." 180 00:09:28,860 --> 00:09:29,100 "but you're probably And, um... 181 00:09:29,100 --> 00:09:31,140 And, um... 182 00:09:31,140 --> 00:09:34,260 ..you know, that's those moments where people can change your life. 183 00:09:34,260 --> 00:09:34,500 ..you know, that's those moments That was one of them. 184 00:09:34,500 --> 00:09:35,780 That was one of them. 185 00:09:37,660 --> 00:09:40,540 Vincent wanted to go to art school. 186 00:09:40,540 --> 00:09:40,780 He said he needed to get the...the ethics and the business side of it Vincent wanted to go to art school. 187 00:09:40,780 --> 00:09:46,380 He said he needed to get the...the ethics and the business side of it 188 00:09:46,380 --> 00:09:46,620 He said he needed to get the...the ethics and the business side of it and how to run everything. 189 00:09:46,620 --> 00:09:48,060 and how to run everything. 190 00:09:50,260 --> 00:09:52,500 I kind of hustled my way into university. 191 00:09:54,940 --> 00:09:57,900 I had an old copy of someone's school report, 192 00:09:57,900 --> 00:10:02,740 and I just put my name on it and did my own version and photocopied it. 193 00:10:05,180 --> 00:10:07,180 And I got into RMIT. 194 00:10:09,180 --> 00:10:12,740 MAN: Vincent was very ambitious, talented. 195 00:10:12,740 --> 00:10:17,300 He was always in the studio working, non-stop. 196 00:10:18,380 --> 00:10:22,180 But he also expressed to me an unease 197 00:10:22,180 --> 00:10:26,460 about his written work, his art history and theory components. 198 00:10:26,460 --> 00:10:29,860 I couldn't do those, and no-one knew I couldn't do them. 199 00:10:29,860 --> 00:10:36,660 So I started to pay people to do my essays, 200 00:10:36,660 --> 00:10:36,900 So I started to pay people and...I got caught. 201 00:10:36,900 --> 00:10:39,660 and...I got caught. 202 00:10:39,660 --> 00:10:42,620 So I had to say, "I can't do it because I can't read or write." 203 00:10:43,820 --> 00:10:49,580 The lecturer said, "I can help you if you can prove..." 204 00:10:50,620 --> 00:10:52,300 "..there's some kind of problem there." 205 00:10:54,060 --> 00:10:57,620 So I was forced to take a dyslexia test. 206 00:10:57,620 --> 00:11:00,980 First I had to find out how to spell 'dyslexia'. 207 00:11:02,860 --> 00:11:05,100 I failed with flying colours. (CHUCKLES) 208 00:11:05,100 --> 00:11:09,620 So I found out that I was highly dyslexic. 209 00:11:09,620 --> 00:11:13,500 I think I had the reading capabilities of someone in grade one. 210 00:11:14,940 --> 00:11:18,140 There was a relief that I... 211 00:11:18,140 --> 00:11:21,660 "OK, I'm not stupid. I actually have something wrong with me." 212 00:11:23,100 --> 00:11:27,380 Once Vincent sought help formally at RMIT, 213 00:11:27,380 --> 00:11:29,700 he realised there was a lot of support for him... 214 00:11:31,060 --> 00:11:33,420 ..and he graduated with a degree in fine art, 215 00:11:33,420 --> 00:11:37,500 and then went on to enter the Master of Fine Arts program. 216 00:11:39,500 --> 00:11:45,260 ROSE: He's an honorary professor... (LAUGHS) ..of RMIT! 217 00:11:45,260 --> 00:11:45,500 ROSE: He's an honorary professor... (LAUGHS) 218 00:11:45,500 --> 00:11:46,580 (LAUGHS) 219 00:11:46,580 --> 00:11:49,500 I mean, you can't get any better than that, can you, mm? 220 00:11:52,380 --> 00:11:56,220 Doors kept opening, galleries wanted him to put his art in there, 221 00:11:56,220 --> 00:11:58,540 and he just went on to meet all sorts of people, 222 00:11:58,540 --> 00:11:58,780 and he just went on to meet because that's Vincent. 223 00:11:58,780 --> 00:11:59,660 because that's Vincent. 224 00:11:59,660 --> 00:12:03,220 You know? He's got this charismatic way about him. 225 00:12:05,660 --> 00:12:07,980 I didn't want to be a shitkicker. 226 00:12:07,980 --> 00:12:12,980 I wanted to make people proud and be proud of myself. 227 00:12:12,980 --> 00:12:13,220 I wanted to make people proud Painting's given me all of that. 228 00:12:13,220 --> 00:12:14,820 Painting's given me all of that. 229 00:12:14,820 --> 00:12:18,140 It's also given me the most incredible friendships. 230 00:12:21,380 --> 00:12:23,300 KIM LEDGER: I met Vincent through my son, Heath. 231 00:12:24,540 --> 00:12:27,820 Heath had been telling me about this aspiring artist, 232 00:12:27,820 --> 00:12:28,060 Heath had been telling me young artist friend in Melbourne, 233 00:12:28,060 --> 00:12:30,620 young artist friend in Melbourne, 234 00:12:30,620 --> 00:12:30,820 young artist friend in Melbourne, who I just have to meet. 235 00:12:30,820 --> 00:12:32,500 who I just have to meet. 236 00:12:32,500 --> 00:12:32,740 Me boy! who I just have to meet. 237 00:12:32,740 --> 00:12:34,260 Me boy! How are you, mate? 238 00:12:34,260 --> 00:12:35,620 (LAUGHS) Hey. 239 00:12:35,620 --> 00:12:37,140 WOMAN: Hello. How are you? 240 00:12:37,140 --> 00:12:37,380 WOMAN: Hello. (GROANS) 241 00:12:37,380 --> 00:12:39,020 (GROANS) 242 00:12:39,020 --> 00:12:40,380 I'm not picking you up! 243 00:12:40,380 --> 00:12:40,620 His connection with Heath I'm not picking you up! 244 00:12:40,620 --> 00:12:42,860 His connection with Heath was quite great, 245 00:12:42,860 --> 00:12:45,100 even over a really short period of time. 246 00:12:46,340 --> 00:12:48,980 There was a lot of common ground between the two of them. 247 00:12:48,980 --> 00:12:52,580 How old was Heath here? 28. 248 00:12:52,580 --> 00:12:56,300 I think Heath had visions of 249 00:12:56,300 --> 00:12:58,780 Vincent actually becoming a world artist. 250 00:12:58,780 --> 00:13:02,140 He'd already had that vision probably before Vincent had. 251 00:13:02,140 --> 00:13:02,380 He'd already had that vision I went to... 252 00:13:02,380 --> 00:13:03,380 I went to... 253 00:13:03,380 --> 00:13:05,860 And he said, you know, "He's going to do a portrait of me." 254 00:13:05,860 --> 00:13:08,100 And he was really quite excited about it. 255 00:13:08,100 --> 00:13:12,060 I never have a plan, and that worked for Heath as well. 256 00:13:12,060 --> 00:13:16,620 He sat on the chair and everything disappeared. 257 00:13:17,980 --> 00:13:20,700 And he's sitting there, almost like meditating. 258 00:13:21,660 --> 00:13:23,140 I was taking photos. 259 00:13:24,380 --> 00:13:27,500 Then he just started screaming at himself. 260 00:13:27,500 --> 00:13:32,740 Like screaming, like all this emotion coming out. 261 00:13:32,740 --> 00:13:35,460 And then he just walked around to the other side, 262 00:13:35,460 --> 00:13:37,260 and then he whispered something in his ear. 263 00:13:38,660 --> 00:13:41,380 And then he started laughing. And then... 264 00:13:41,380 --> 00:13:44,260 And it just went on, like a one-man show. 265 00:13:44,260 --> 00:13:45,540 Like a little performance, yeah. 266 00:13:46,500 --> 00:13:49,380 The last words, Heath, as... 267 00:13:49,380 --> 00:13:52,100 ..pretty much as I was getting in the car to take off, 268 00:13:52,100 --> 00:13:52,340 ..pretty much as I was getting he looked at me and said, 269 00:13:52,340 --> 00:13:53,340 he looked at me and said, 270 00:13:53,340 --> 00:13:53,580 "This portrait is going to he looked at me and said, 271 00:13:53,580 --> 00:13:55,140 "This portrait is going to change our lives." 272 00:13:58,780 --> 00:14:02,780 I did that painting like I'd never painted before. 273 00:14:05,220 --> 00:14:07,140 When you do a painting of someone, 274 00:14:07,140 --> 00:14:07,380 you spend a lot of time When you do a painting of someone, 275 00:14:07,380 --> 00:14:09,820 you spend a lot of time thinking about them, who they are. 276 00:14:09,820 --> 00:14:12,100 So it was like I was having a conversation for... 277 00:14:12,100 --> 00:14:14,340 Yes. ..three weeks, continuing. 278 00:14:14,340 --> 00:14:19,340 And we spoke on the phone once during that time 279 00:14:19,340 --> 00:14:21,780 and he said, "Oh, don't... don't show me yet. 280 00:14:21,780 --> 00:14:22,900 "I want to see it in person." 281 00:14:22,900 --> 00:14:28,420 But on that night before I emailed the image... 282 00:14:28,420 --> 00:14:30,940 I just felt like I had to email the image, 283 00:14:30,940 --> 00:14:35,020 and I never got to find out if he opened the email or not. 284 00:14:35,020 --> 00:14:35,260 and I never got to find out Yeah, yeah. 285 00:14:35,260 --> 00:14:36,340 Yeah, yeah. 286 00:14:37,860 --> 00:14:42,140 MAN: Australian actor Heath Ledger was found in a Manhattan apartment. 287 00:14:42,140 --> 00:14:44,620 His family says the death was accidental. 288 00:14:47,260 --> 00:14:51,020 That was the beginning of the pandemonium for everybody, 289 00:14:51,020 --> 00:14:51,260 That was the beginning of including us as a family. 290 00:14:51,260 --> 00:14:52,980 including us as a family. 291 00:14:54,340 --> 00:14:58,060 We do really appreciate the emotional support 292 00:14:58,060 --> 00:14:58,300 We do really appreciate from all over the globe. 293 00:14:58,300 --> 00:14:59,860 from all over the globe. 294 00:15:00,980 --> 00:15:04,060 When all this chaos was going on, 295 00:15:04,060 --> 00:15:06,540 I spoke with Kim, who I'd never met before. 296 00:15:07,700 --> 00:15:10,020 He just gave me the family's blessing 297 00:15:10,020 --> 00:15:11,940 to enter the painting in the Archibald. 298 00:15:15,060 --> 00:15:17,420 The first time I saw it, I thought, "Oh boy." 299 00:15:18,540 --> 00:15:20,100 You know, that was... 300 00:15:20,100 --> 00:15:20,340 It was...a little bit confronting at the time. You know, that was... 301 00:15:20,340 --> 00:15:23,780 It was...a little bit confronting at the time. 302 00:15:23,780 --> 00:15:24,060 It was...a little bit confronting at the time. WOMAN: The winner of the 2008 Archibald People's Choice Award 303 00:15:24,060 --> 00:15:28,820 WOMAN: The winner of the 2008 Archibald People's Choice Award 304 00:15:28,820 --> 00:15:34,180 goes to Vincent Fantauzzo for his painting called Heath. 305 00:15:34,180 --> 00:15:34,420 goes to Vincent Fantauzzo (CHEERING, APPLAUSE) 306 00:15:34,420 --> 00:15:37,340 (CHEERING, APPLAUSE) 307 00:15:38,460 --> 00:15:42,220 I don't find it creepy or anything like that. 308 00:15:42,220 --> 00:15:46,500 It was just the timing of it all was just, like, unbelievable. 309 00:15:49,100 --> 00:15:52,380 It was a bittersweet moment that we couldn't really celebrate 310 00:15:52,380 --> 00:15:54,660 for all the reasons that you would understand. 311 00:15:54,660 --> 00:15:59,380 Especially painting Heath for three weeks, all day, every day, 312 00:15:59,380 --> 00:15:59,620 Especially painting Heath for thinking about him. 313 00:15:59,620 --> 00:16:00,900 thinking about him. 314 00:16:00,900 --> 00:16:05,540 So when I heard the news, it was devastating. I was just shocked. 315 00:16:08,500 --> 00:16:11,340 I didn't celebrate anything in my head at the time. 316 00:16:11,340 --> 00:16:15,620 It felt negative, but I knew something exciting was happening. 317 00:16:15,620 --> 00:16:21,140 So even now, the thought of it is part guilt 318 00:16:21,140 --> 00:16:24,460 that the painting is and was so successful. 319 00:16:24,460 --> 00:16:27,060 We were obviously communicating with Vincent 320 00:16:27,060 --> 00:16:30,700 because he was feeling so kind of bad about this whole thing as well, 321 00:16:30,700 --> 00:16:31,900 and he didn't need to. 322 00:16:31,900 --> 00:16:33,300 It was not his fault. 323 00:16:33,300 --> 00:16:36,460 Your understanding, your caring... 324 00:16:36,460 --> 00:16:41,180 The circumstance where I met Kim was terrible, you know, 325 00:16:41,180 --> 00:16:45,380 but I found this person that would be in my life forever 326 00:16:45,380 --> 00:16:48,380 that I trust so much. 327 00:16:48,380 --> 00:16:52,940 I didn't have a you...in my life. Mm. 328 00:16:54,460 --> 00:16:56,260 And that's the... 329 00:16:56,260 --> 00:16:58,100 ..that's the biggest gift. Mm. 330 00:17:02,340 --> 00:17:03,620 Um... 331 00:17:03,620 --> 00:17:06,140 Like my old boxing coach when I was a kid, 332 00:17:06,140 --> 00:17:09,380 you just had faith in me that, you know, you can... 333 00:17:09,380 --> 00:17:09,620 you just had faith in me "You got this. You can go do it." 334 00:17:09,620 --> 00:17:11,020 "You got this. You can go do it." 335 00:17:11,020 --> 00:17:11,260 I fairly quickly realised "You got this. You can go do it." 336 00:17:11,260 --> 00:17:16,340 I fairly quickly realised that Vincent was an artist 337 00:17:16,340 --> 00:17:18,420 that probably, from a structural perspective, 338 00:17:18,420 --> 00:17:18,660 that probably, needed a little bit of support. 339 00:17:18,660 --> 00:17:20,140 needed a little bit of support. 340 00:17:20,140 --> 00:17:22,700 There was the whole business side of things 341 00:17:22,700 --> 00:17:25,180 that you just had to watch me fuck up... 342 00:17:25,180 --> 00:17:27,420 (LAUGHS) ..until I learnt my lesson. 343 00:17:27,420 --> 00:17:30,540 When your passion eventually meets your talent, 344 00:17:30,540 --> 00:17:32,180 you know, the world opens up for you. 345 00:17:32,180 --> 00:17:35,420 And that was a perfect example of that with Vincent. 346 00:17:36,620 --> 00:17:38,460 It all sort of came together for him. 347 00:17:39,740 --> 00:17:42,460 MATT MORAN: Vincent very much wants to prove himself, 348 00:17:42,460 --> 00:17:42,700 which drives him. MATT MORAN: Vincent very much wants to prove himself, 349 00:17:42,700 --> 00:17:43,820 which drives him. 350 00:17:43,820 --> 00:17:46,180 You know? He's incredibly ambitious. 351 00:17:46,180 --> 00:17:47,340 He works incredibly hard. 352 00:17:47,340 --> 00:17:47,580 He works incredibly hard. I did discuss doing a nude with Matt... 353 00:17:47,580 --> 00:17:50,860 I did discuss doing a nude with Matt... 354 00:17:50,860 --> 00:17:51,100 I did discuss doing a nude (LAUGHTER) 355 00:17:51,100 --> 00:17:52,100 (LAUGHTER) 356 00:17:52,100 --> 00:17:54,900 ..but it was in a freezer, and it was probably the wrong... 357 00:17:54,900 --> 00:17:55,140 ..but it was in a freezer, (LAUGHTER) 358 00:17:55,140 --> 00:17:57,140 (LAUGHTER) 359 00:17:57,140 --> 00:17:58,580 ..the wrong place to get naked. 360 00:17:58,580 --> 00:18:04,380 ASHER: It's the struggle in other people that he can identify with. 361 00:18:04,380 --> 00:18:04,660 It's not about getting the brush strokes right. ASHER: It's the struggle in other people that he can identify with. 362 00:18:04,660 --> 00:18:06,980 It's not about getting the brush strokes right. 363 00:18:06,980 --> 00:18:09,820 WOMAN: A painting of a distressed-looking Baz Luhrmann 364 00:18:09,820 --> 00:18:13,220 has won the country's richest portrait prize. 365 00:18:13,220 --> 00:18:17,500 The portrait where Baz has his face in his hands 366 00:18:17,500 --> 00:18:20,580 was a moment of incredible vulnerability for Baz. 367 00:18:21,620 --> 00:18:23,860 BAZ LUHRMANN: A lot of people go it's the least image like me, 368 00:18:23,860 --> 00:18:24,940 'cause you can't really see me. 369 00:18:24,940 --> 00:18:25,180 But I look at it and go, "Yeah, that's...that's me." 'cause you can't really see me. 370 00:18:25,180 --> 00:18:26,820 But I look at it and go, "Yeah, that's...that's me." 371 00:18:26,820 --> 00:18:29,900 I spend a lot of time self-reflecting on my stupidity. 372 00:18:32,060 --> 00:18:34,700 JULIA GILLARD: I knew I wanted a realist style, 373 00:18:34,700 --> 00:18:37,580 and Vincent's work came to my attention. 374 00:18:37,580 --> 00:18:40,260 (CHEERING, APPLAUSE) 375 00:18:40,260 --> 00:18:43,980 I think he's captured a look in my eyes, 376 00:18:43,980 --> 00:18:44,260 which is about leadership and about strength, I think he's captured a look in my eyes, 377 00:18:44,260 --> 00:18:48,340 which is about leadership and about strength, 378 00:18:48,340 --> 00:18:48,580 which is about leadership but with some ambiguity in it. 379 00:18:48,580 --> 00:18:51,380 but with some ambiguity in it. 380 00:18:53,860 --> 00:18:55,820 MATT: Vincent, he was really looking for... 381 00:18:55,820 --> 00:18:56,060 MATT: Vincent, he was ..for more females to paint, 382 00:18:56,060 --> 00:18:57,820 ..for more females to paint, 383 00:18:57,820 --> 00:18:59,980 and he asked me if I knew the... 384 00:18:59,980 --> 00:19:03,380 .."the hot girl that was on TV," Asher Keddie. 385 00:19:03,380 --> 00:19:03,620 .."the hot girl that was on TV," And I said, "Yeah, I did." 386 00:19:03,620 --> 00:19:05,100 And I said, "Yeah, I did." 387 00:19:05,100 --> 00:19:05,340 I think it was a text And I said, "Yeah, I did." 388 00:19:05,340 --> 00:19:06,940 I think it was a text that I said to Asher, 389 00:19:06,940 --> 00:19:08,580 I said, "Look, can you do me a big favour? 390 00:19:08,580 --> 00:19:08,820 I said, "Look, "My mate really wants to paint you." 391 00:19:08,820 --> 00:19:10,180 "My mate really wants to paint you." 392 00:19:10,180 --> 00:19:12,660 I thought, "Well, if I'm going to say yes to being painted, 393 00:19:12,660 --> 00:19:15,420 "it's probably a good idea to be painted by him." 394 00:19:20,060 --> 00:19:23,580 I absolutely felt connected on a level 395 00:19:23,580 --> 00:19:26,500 I'd never felt connected to anybody in my life. 396 00:19:26,500 --> 00:19:31,220 I was just drawn to him, and I could feel the same coming from him. 397 00:19:31,220 --> 00:19:31,460 I was just drawn to him, and I could I just met my person, 398 00:19:31,460 --> 00:19:33,340 I just met my person, 399 00:19:33,340 --> 00:19:33,580 and we pretty much I just met my person, 400 00:19:33,580 --> 00:19:37,620 and we pretty much were together from... 401 00:19:37,620 --> 00:19:37,860 and we pretty much It wasn't like that. 402 00:19:37,860 --> 00:19:39,020 It wasn't like that. 403 00:19:39,020 --> 00:19:41,500 We were pretty... We were... We knew right away. 404 00:19:45,540 --> 00:19:49,660 I just feel accepted by Asher 405 00:19:49,660 --> 00:19:51,660 and loved for who I am. 406 00:19:51,660 --> 00:19:53,380 She doesn't want me to be anyone else... 407 00:19:54,540 --> 00:19:56,100 ..and I don't want her to be anyone else. 408 00:19:56,100 --> 00:19:58,620 She has heaps of flaws, just so you know. 409 00:19:59,580 --> 00:20:01,420 No, she... (LAUGHS) ..she doesn't. 410 00:20:07,660 --> 00:20:10,100 Through those first 10 years we were together, 411 00:20:10,100 --> 00:20:10,340 Through those first 10 years something was troubling him deeply. 412 00:20:10,340 --> 00:20:13,100 something was troubling him deeply. 413 00:20:14,100 --> 00:20:18,540 I didn't know what was really going on for him. 414 00:20:21,620 --> 00:20:26,580 And I remember my time in childhood in a very filmic way. 415 00:20:26,580 --> 00:20:29,940 I had to remove myself from the experience 416 00:20:29,940 --> 00:20:32,740 to kind of deal with and process things. 417 00:20:34,900 --> 00:20:40,100 As a kid growing up, I lived constantly in fear. 418 00:20:40,100 --> 00:20:43,620 I lived in fear that people would find out I couldn't read and write. 419 00:20:43,620 --> 00:20:43,860 I lived in fear that people would I lived in fear of my dad. 420 00:20:43,860 --> 00:20:46,140 I lived in fear of my dad. 421 00:20:46,140 --> 00:20:46,380 I lived in fear of someone else I lived in fear of my dad. 422 00:20:46,380 --> 00:20:50,180 I lived in fear of someone else that was very abusive to me. 423 00:20:51,220 --> 00:20:57,580 There was some pretty terrible abuse that went on, um, 424 00:20:57,580 --> 00:20:57,820 There was some pretty terrible abuse from someone outside of the family. 425 00:20:57,820 --> 00:20:59,860 from someone outside of the family. 426 00:21:03,060 --> 00:21:06,540 When I was nine, I attempted to write the suicide note, 427 00:21:06,540 --> 00:21:06,780 When I was nine, I attempted but obviously I can't write well now, 428 00:21:06,780 --> 00:21:09,420 but obviously I can't write well now, 429 00:21:09,420 --> 00:21:11,220 so I don't know what it would have looked like. 430 00:21:11,220 --> 00:21:13,220 I feel like it would have been enough 431 00:21:13,220 --> 00:21:13,460 I feel like for someone to know I was in trouble, 432 00:21:13,460 --> 00:21:15,700 for someone to know I was in trouble, 433 00:21:15,700 --> 00:21:17,340 and it went unnoticed. 434 00:21:18,460 --> 00:21:21,380 Like what was happening went unnoticed. 435 00:21:23,940 --> 00:21:26,980 I feel responsible to talk about it 436 00:21:26,980 --> 00:21:27,220 because it happens to other people I feel responsible to talk about it 437 00:21:27,220 --> 00:21:31,100 because it happens to other people and it never gets talked about. 438 00:21:32,500 --> 00:21:36,380 But I don't... I don't think I can say it... 439 00:21:36,380 --> 00:21:39,420 I just can't say it out loud. You know? 440 00:21:39,420 --> 00:21:39,660 I just can't say it out loud. It was... 441 00:21:39,660 --> 00:21:41,180 It was... 442 00:21:41,180 --> 00:21:45,100 It was fucked up enough to affect me 443 00:21:45,100 --> 00:21:47,060 every day of the rest of my life. 444 00:21:50,260 --> 00:21:57,700 ASHER: When Vin told me about the abuse that he'd endured, 445 00:21:57,700 --> 00:22:04,660 on the one hand, I felt devastated for him and really angry. 446 00:22:06,060 --> 00:22:08,860 And I can't stand the thought that that... 447 00:22:10,500 --> 00:22:13,980 ..was happening to him for so many years. 448 00:22:13,980 --> 00:22:14,220 ..was happening to him But I also felt really relieved... 449 00:22:14,220 --> 00:22:16,460 But I also felt really relieved... 450 00:22:17,900 --> 00:22:19,540 ..because I knew something... 451 00:22:20,860 --> 00:22:22,100 ..was there. 452 00:22:24,780 --> 00:22:27,780 This one is not based on a specific moment. 453 00:22:27,780 --> 00:22:28,020 This one is not based It's more about a feeling. 454 00:22:28,020 --> 00:22:29,980 It's more about a feeling. 455 00:22:29,980 --> 00:22:33,420 A feeling of a boy feeling isolated. 456 00:22:34,860 --> 00:22:38,500 The kid's in a commission house alone, 457 00:22:38,500 --> 00:22:40,980 and it's kind of smoky and misty and, uh... 458 00:22:40,980 --> 00:22:46,660 It's like a reoccurring dream of being trapped and scared. 459 00:22:49,860 --> 00:22:53,900 It's been a big relief for Vincent to let go of that burden 460 00:22:53,900 --> 00:22:58,900 that he carried himself only for so many years. 461 00:22:59,980 --> 00:23:02,420 And a relief to trust me. 462 00:23:03,980 --> 00:23:07,540 He's been able to break that cycle of dysfunction, 463 00:23:07,540 --> 00:23:10,500 really because he's started to tell the truth. 464 00:23:12,340 --> 00:23:16,420 I didn't tell people what went on in the past for a long time, 465 00:23:16,420 --> 00:23:19,500 because I don't want to be defined by negativity. 466 00:23:20,460 --> 00:23:23,620 I wake up with a smile on my face. I'm very happy person. 467 00:23:24,580 --> 00:23:27,540 Even though in some ways I'd like to change the past, 468 00:23:27,540 --> 00:23:31,500 if I did, I wouldn't be where I am now with the family I have. 469 00:23:36,860 --> 00:23:39,780 It's his life's purpose, really, 470 00:23:39,780 --> 00:23:40,020 to be a really caring, attentive, It's his life's purpose, really, 471 00:23:40,020 --> 00:23:46,420 to be a really caring, attentive, present, and nurturing father. 472 00:23:48,940 --> 00:23:51,340 KIM: He had very low self-esteem as a kid 473 00:23:51,340 --> 00:23:53,860 but was always trying to overcome it. 474 00:23:53,860 --> 00:23:57,900 I don't think he wanted to see his kids go through that. 475 00:23:59,820 --> 00:24:04,060 The way Vincent parents his children 476 00:24:04,060 --> 00:24:07,940 has a lot to do with what he felt was missing in his own childhood 477 00:24:07,940 --> 00:24:08,180 has a lot to do with what he felt in terms of boundaries, 478 00:24:08,180 --> 00:24:09,980 in terms of boundaries, 479 00:24:09,980 --> 00:24:13,380 feeling safe, and listened to. 480 00:24:16,340 --> 00:24:21,220 When my dad passed, I realised, like, that's over. 481 00:24:21,220 --> 00:24:21,460 When my dad passed, I don't have the chance. 482 00:24:21,460 --> 00:24:22,740 I don't have the chance. 483 00:24:22,740 --> 00:24:22,980 I don't have the chance. I do have a chance... to, with my own kids, 484 00:24:22,980 --> 00:24:25,540 I do have a chance... to, with my own kids, 485 00:24:25,540 --> 00:24:25,780 I do have a chance... to have a much better relationship, 486 00:24:25,780 --> 00:24:27,700 to have a much better relationship, 487 00:24:27,700 --> 00:24:27,940 and that's why I want them to love to have a much better relationship, 488 00:24:27,940 --> 00:24:31,660 and that's why I want them to love and feel comfortable with me. 489 00:24:32,620 --> 00:24:35,180 While I can. One day you'll be too big, but for now... 490 00:24:36,420 --> 00:24:40,180 KIM: He's trying to give them the stability and a relationship 491 00:24:40,180 --> 00:24:43,060 that he never really had with his own father. 492 00:24:43,060 --> 00:24:44,620 That's a progression in life, isn't it? 493 00:24:44,620 --> 00:24:47,500 Can you tell me something philosophical 494 00:24:47,500 --> 00:24:47,740 Can you tell me something while we look at the ocean? 495 00:24:47,740 --> 00:24:49,420 while we look at the ocean? 496 00:24:49,420 --> 00:24:50,620 Quote of the day. 497 00:24:50,620 --> 00:24:52,580 "Be good to your mother." 498 00:24:52,580 --> 00:24:57,100 I kind of now do everything the opposite of what I was taught, 499 00:24:57,100 --> 00:25:00,300 and I more than often I get it right, so... 500 00:25:02,060 --> 00:25:04,980 (ENGINE REVS) 501 00:25:04,980 --> 00:25:06,780 (BOTH CHAT INDISTINCTLY) 502 00:25:06,780 --> 00:25:11,380 My relationship with Kim feels like how relationships should be. 503 00:25:11,380 --> 00:25:14,580 Kim's about to tell me what to do, and I'm about to do it wrong. 504 00:25:14,580 --> 00:25:18,940 We're both redheads, and Kim also, fortunately, runs a race track. 505 00:25:18,940 --> 00:25:19,180 We're both redheads, and Kim also, So when we go to Perth, 506 00:25:19,180 --> 00:25:21,060 So when we go to Perth, 507 00:25:21,060 --> 00:25:21,300 he just knows So when we go to Perth, 508 00:25:21,300 --> 00:25:23,220 he just knows I want to go to the track. 509 00:25:23,220 --> 00:25:23,460 he just knows But Kim's an incredible driver, 510 00:25:23,460 --> 00:25:25,700 But Kim's an incredible driver, 511 00:25:25,700 --> 00:25:28,380 and I just drive like I stole the car. 512 00:25:29,540 --> 00:25:32,060 That's probably a fair way of putting it. 513 00:25:32,060 --> 00:25:35,620 (TYRES SQUEAL) 514 00:25:35,620 --> 00:25:37,420 ASHER: They're very funny together. 515 00:25:37,420 --> 00:25:40,900 I mean, they...THEY think they're very funny together. (LAUGHS) 516 00:25:40,900 --> 00:25:41,140 I mean, they...THEY think they're Pick up the throttle. 517 00:25:41,140 --> 00:25:42,820 Pick up the throttle. 518 00:25:42,820 --> 00:25:44,540 Oh, that's good. 519 00:25:44,540 --> 00:25:45,900 That was interesting. 520 00:25:45,900 --> 00:25:47,060 And that's a bit interesting. 521 00:25:47,060 --> 00:25:49,660 So you get out of the pedal across the front. 522 00:25:51,340 --> 00:25:54,220 (BOTH LAUGH, EXCLAIM) 523 00:25:54,220 --> 00:25:54,460 So to go fast, (BOTH LAUGH, EXCLAIM) 524 00:25:54,460 --> 00:25:57,420 So to go fast, first you have to go slow, right? 525 00:25:57,420 --> 00:25:57,660 So to go fast, (TYRES SQUEAL) 526 00:25:57,660 --> 00:25:59,260 (TYRES SQUEAL) 527 00:25:59,260 --> 00:26:03,580 His advice is fatherly in a way that Vincent really wants. 528 00:26:04,580 --> 00:26:06,820 And he's tough on him sometimes too. 529 00:26:06,820 --> 00:26:08,580 Which...which I think is great. 530 00:26:08,580 --> 00:26:11,300 (LAUGHS) Everything... 531 00:26:11,300 --> 00:26:13,900 Everything Kim told me not to do, I did. 532 00:26:13,900 --> 00:26:14,140 Everything Kim told me not to do, Kimmy. 533 00:26:14,140 --> 00:26:15,180 Kimmy. 534 00:26:15,180 --> 00:26:18,060 Just being part of that journey with him 535 00:26:18,060 --> 00:26:19,660 has provided me a great deal of comfort. 536 00:26:19,660 --> 00:26:21,860 Does he have more of a sweat-up than me? I'm not quite sure. 537 00:26:21,860 --> 00:26:22,100 Does he have more of a sweat-up No, I do. I was like... 538 00:26:22,100 --> 00:26:22,980 No, I do. I was like... 539 00:26:22,980 --> 00:26:27,580 And I feel very proud to have been... 540 00:26:28,620 --> 00:26:32,700 ..a witness to this growth in him personally. 541 00:26:35,580 --> 00:26:39,060 Pretty special spot, isn't it? Yeah, it is. Just beautiful. 542 00:26:40,620 --> 00:26:43,300 I'm always inspired by Heath. 543 00:26:43,300 --> 00:26:43,540 I feel like I have someone I'm always inspired by Heath. 544 00:26:43,540 --> 00:26:45,860 I feel like I have someone watching over me almost. 545 00:26:45,860 --> 00:26:49,860 I got this gift from Heath that changed my life 546 00:26:49,860 --> 00:26:50,100 I got this gift from Heath and I feel like he knew it. 547 00:26:50,100 --> 00:26:51,420 and I feel like he knew it. 548 00:26:52,700 --> 00:26:55,220 He had that tattoo on his shoulder and it was about 549 00:26:55,220 --> 00:26:56,820 "What you give out, you get back." 550 00:26:57,820 --> 00:26:59,660 Vincent wanted to do the same thing 551 00:26:59,660 --> 00:27:01,660 and had the same kind of thing 552 00:27:01,660 --> 00:27:04,060 put on his forearm, 553 00:27:04,060 --> 00:27:08,420 and that's his personal way of... of...of dealing with it all 554 00:27:08,420 --> 00:27:12,500 and...and thanking his buddy for where he is now. 555 00:27:13,500 --> 00:27:18,460 This is something I can look at forever and always feel inspired. 556 00:27:18,460 --> 00:27:22,460 If there was some good to come out of it, 557 00:27:22,460 --> 00:27:26,300 then, you know, me being able to contribute to your journey 558 00:27:26,300 --> 00:27:28,460 and the cementing of our relationship 559 00:27:28,460 --> 00:27:28,700 and the cementing was something that really... 560 00:27:28,700 --> 00:27:29,940 was something that really... 561 00:27:29,940 --> 00:27:31,820 I think he'd have a smile on his face. 562 00:27:31,820 --> 00:27:32,060 I think he'd have a smile Yeah. Yeah, he would be. 563 00:27:32,060 --> 00:27:33,220 Yeah. Yeah, he would be. 564 00:27:33,220 --> 00:27:33,460 He'd be... He says to me, Yeah. Yeah, he would be. 565 00:27:33,460 --> 00:27:35,700 He'd be... He says to me, "Don't listen to him." 566 00:27:35,700 --> 00:27:36,820 Yeah. (LAUGHS) No, I'm joking. 567 00:27:36,820 --> 00:27:37,060 Yeah. (LAUGHS) Yeah, that's right. Exactly right. 568 00:27:37,060 --> 00:27:38,900 Yeah, that's right. Exactly right. 569 00:27:38,900 --> 00:27:42,460 I often refer to him as my surrogate son in Melbourne. 570 00:27:44,020 --> 00:27:48,380 In some areas I felt like I've taken him under my wing a little bit, 571 00:27:48,380 --> 00:27:50,900 but as an artist, you're never under anybody's wing. 572 00:27:50,900 --> 00:27:54,220 You have your own wings and you fly through life. 573 00:28:02,980 --> 00:28:05,620 ASHER: Vincent is really thriving 574 00:28:05,620 --> 00:28:05,860 in so many different areas ASHER: Vincent is really thriving 575 00:28:05,860 --> 00:28:07,900 in so many different areas in his life. 576 00:28:08,940 --> 00:28:11,780 And if you think about 577 00:28:11,780 --> 00:28:14,620 survival, perhaps, being his biggest achievement... 578 00:28:15,660 --> 00:28:19,700 ..that just makes it all the more incredible, really. 579 00:28:19,700 --> 00:28:22,980 We're at the opening of my gallery - Fantauzzo Gallery. 580 00:28:22,980 --> 00:28:24,940 That's kind of weird. It's a good name. 581 00:28:24,940 --> 00:28:25,180 That's kind of weird. There's all these incredible guests, 582 00:28:25,180 --> 00:28:26,500 There's all these incredible guests, 583 00:28:26,500 --> 00:28:29,620 but Kim being here means the most to me. 584 00:28:29,620 --> 00:28:31,500 I know that I've come a long way, 585 00:28:31,500 --> 00:28:34,740 but I feel like I have so much more that I want to do. 586 00:28:34,740 --> 00:28:39,540 It's a rather overwhelming celebration 587 00:28:39,540 --> 00:28:39,780 It's a rather overwhelming of this man's amazing journey. 588 00:28:39,780 --> 00:28:43,340 of this man's amazing journey. 589 00:28:43,340 --> 00:28:45,540 There's a lot of people 590 00:28:45,540 --> 00:28:45,780 that may have gone through There's a lot of people 591 00:28:45,780 --> 00:28:48,140 that may have gone through similar things to myself, 592 00:28:48,140 --> 00:28:53,220 and I want for people to understand that you can turn things around. 593 00:28:53,220 --> 00:28:53,460 and I want for people to understand (GENERAL HUBBUB) 594 00:28:53,460 --> 00:28:57,860 (GENERAL HUBBUB) 595 00:28:57,860 --> 00:29:03,100 I actually feel after doing this that I've closed a chapter, 596 00:29:03,100 --> 00:29:03,340 I actually feel after doing this and, you know, there's... 597 00:29:03,340 --> 00:29:05,500 and, you know, there's... 598 00:29:05,500 --> 00:29:07,380 I'm just getting started, really. 599 00:29:33,340 --> 00:29:35,060 Captions by Red Bee Media 600 00:29:35,060 --> 00:29:37,140 Copyright Australian Broadcasting Corporation