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[title]A permanent fixture in Sydney’s artistic calendar, and one of the rare times everyone suddenly becomes an art critic, the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes bring together the country’s most talked-about art, all under one roof. Showcasing the finalists and winners of their respective Archibald, Wynne and Sulman categories, the exhibition offers a snapshot of contemporary Australian art across portraiture, landscape, sculpture and genre painting. From Saturday, May 9 to Sunday, August 16 (10am–5pm, with late openings until 10pm on Wednesdays), head to the Art Gallery of New South Wales to see what all the fuss is about.
From musicians to sportspeople, household names to local heroes, the works form a kind of love letter to Australia’s people, places and identity. Look back at any given year, and you’ll know who the main characters were and what Aussies were chatting about over flat whites and avo toast. It’s Australia as seen through the eyes of some of its most talented storytellers, with the prizes championing the depth and diversity of our artistic talent.
The most famous of the three, the Archibald Prize is the country’s oldest portrait award. Judged by the gallery’s trustees and open to artists from Australia and New Zealand, it recognises the year’s most compelling portrait while offering a window into the personalities shaping our cultural landscape.
Alongside it, the Wynne Prize celebrates outstanding Australian landscape painting or figure sculpture, while the Sulman Prize recognises the best subject painting, genre work or mural project across a range of mediums. The Archibald and Wynne are judged by the gallery’s trustees, while the Sulman is awarded by an invited guest judge, who this year is acclaimed artist Del Kathryn Barton.
Keen to channel your inner art critic? Cast a vote in the ANZ People’s Choice Award for the chance to win $2,000. Plus, keep an eye out for the Young Archie exhibition, a free showcase of portraits by artists aged five to 18, each depicting someone meaningful to them. To round things out, the Archie Party returns on Friday, June 26, bringing together art, music, performance and food in celebration of the prizes and winners.
The perfect excuse to feel cultured for the day, tickets start from $27 and are on sale. For more information and to book tickets, visit the Art Gallery of New South Wales website.