Australia’s most popular arts event is back in action for 2026, 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 9 to August 16.
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. Melbourne-based artist Richard Lewer is the winner of the Archibald Prize 2026 – he won over the judges with a stunning portrait of Pitjantjatjara Elder, senior artist and ngangkari (traditional healer) Iluwanti Ken.
RECOMMENDED: A beginner's guide to the Archibald Prize.
The winner of the 2026 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 Sean Layh's striking painting of actor Jacob Collins as their favourite Archibald portrait this year.
Meanwhile, the Wynne Prize awarded the best landscape painting of Australian scenery or figurative sculpture to Yolŋu artist Gaypalani Waṉambi, and the Sulman was awarded to Lucy Culliton for the best genre painting, subject painting or mural project.
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 $30 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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