Australia’s most popular arts event is back in action for 2025, with the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes bringing a fresh batch of painterly expressions to the walls of the Art Gallery of NSW from May 10 to August 17.
They call it “the face that stops the nation”, and the Archibald Prize has indeed been courting controversy and conversation for more than a century now. This popular portrait prize is always filled with famous faces, with artists from all over Australia (and also New Zealand) capturing the spirit of the times through paintings that capture the likeness of the personalities that define their communities. Julie Fragar is the winner of the 2025 Archibald Prize – she won over the judges with a stunning portrait of fellow artist Justene Williams (read more).
RECOMMENDED: A beginner's guide to the Archibald Prize.
The winner of the 2025 Packing Room Prize was announced a week earlier, with the Packing Room Pickers (a.k.a. the Art Gallery staff who receive, unpack and hang the entries) selecting Abdul Abdullah's striking painting of fellow finalist Jason Phu as their favourite Archibald portrait this year (read more here).
Meanwhile, the Wynne Prize awards the best landscape painting of Australian scenery or figurative sculpture, and the Sulman is awarded to the best genre painting, subject painting or mural project. (Find out more about the 2025 winners over here.)
The annual finalists exhibition is a real must-see, with each prize attracting diverse entries that make for compelling viewing.
Additionally, the Young Archie competition is also always packed with gorgeous artworks by budding young artists between the ages of 5 and 18. Make sure to check those out, too.
Exhibition entry starts at $25 for general admission, with cheaper prices for gallery members, concessions and youth. Children under 12 get in for free (good on ‘em). You can snap up your tickets over here. (Hot tip: you can score 2-for-1 tickets after 5pm on Wednesdays, when the gallery stays open after dark!)
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