Art

See The Incredible Finalists Of The Archibald Prize 2023!

The finalists for this year’s Archibald Prize have just been revealed, and for the first time in its 102-year history, there are more works by women than men among the shortlist.

An impressive 949 entries from artists across Australia were submitted to the prestigious art awards in hopes of winning the $100,000 prize for the best portrait of a person ‘distinguished in art, letters, science or politics.’

See some of our favourites from the 57 finalists below before the winner is announced on May 5!

Written
by
Christina Karras

‘Heidi May, Elle Charalambu and the artist at Redleaf Pool’ by Oliver Watts. Photo – Jenni Carter for AGNSW

‘Christopher Bassi’ by David Fenoglio. Photo – Jenni Carter for AGNSW

‘Ronni Kahn AO (founder of OZHarvest)’ by Marie Mansfield. Photo – Jenni Carter for AGNSW

‘Ramesh and the blue figure with snake’ by Kirthana Selvaraj. Photo – Jenni Carter for AGNSW

‘Clown jewels’ by Andrea Huelin. Photo – Jenni Carter for AGNSW

‘Maestro (portrait of Jessica Cottis)’ by Oliver Shepherd. Photo – Jenni Carter for AGNSW

Left: ‘Cooking my famous Indulkana soup’ by Kaylene Whiskey. Right: ‘Hallowed Be Thy Name (collaboration with Maella Santiago, Santi Mateo Santiago and Sarita Santiago)’ by Marikit Santiago. Photo – Jenni Carter for AGNSW

‘Lottie’ by Clare Thackaway. Photo – Jenni Carter for AGNSW

‘Zoe’ by Kim Leutwyler. Photo – Jenni Carter for AGNSW

‘Katharine Murphy’ by Judith Sinnamon. Photo – Jenni Carter for AGNSW

Left: ‘Nanna Mara’ by Tsering Hannaford. Right: ‘Year of the Rabbit’ by Sally Ryan. Photo – Jenni Carter for AGNSW

‘The nightingale and the kookaburra – portrait of Drusilla Modjeska’ by Katherine Hattam. Photo – Jenni Carter for AGNSW

‘Lady Primrose Potter AC’ by Yvette Coppersmith. Photo – Jenni Carter for AGNSW

‘Breakfast at ours’ by Eliza Gosse. Photo – Jenni Carter for AGNSW

‘Seeing Ruby’ by Anh Do. Photo – Jenni Carter for AGNSW

‘Claudia (the GOAT)’ by Laura Jones. Photo – Jenni Carter for AGNSW

‘Blood money – infinite dollar note – Aunty Regina Pilawuk Wilson’ by Ryan Presley. Photo – Jenni Carter for AGNSW

‘Zaachariaha Fielding’ by Michael Simms. Photo – Jenni Carter for AGNSW

‘There’s something about Harry’ by John Hillier. Photo – Jenni Carter for AGNSW

Writer
Christina Karras
27th of April 2023

It’s a record-breaking year for the Archibald Prize. The 2023 finalists of the prestigious portrait prize have been announced, with 30 entries painted by women and 27 by men represented — marking the first time women have topped the shortlist.

Among the finalists is Cairns-based artist Andrea Huelin, whose painting of comedian Cal Wilson took out the anticipated Packing Room Prize, as judged by the Art Gallery of NSW staff. Three members of the Packing Room team — Timothy Dale, Monica Rudhar and Alexis Wildman — who collectively selected the winner of the $3000 prize, said the work work ‘jumped out’ as soon as it arrived. ‘The bright colours really popped, and we immediately recognised Cal as a familiar face,’ says Alexis.

Other familiar faces among the finalists include actor Claudia Karvan featured in Claudia (the GOAT) by Sydney artist Laura Jones, and Anh Doh’s emotive oil painting of beloved Gunditjmara and Bundjalung singer-songwriter Archie Roach, who died in last year. Artists also chose to depict non-binary actor Zoe Terakes, professional boxer Harry Garside, and former Silverchair frontman Daniel Johns.

Some of TDF’s favourites include David Fenoglio’s painting of Meriam and Yupungathi artist Christopher Bassi, Eliza Gosse’s dual portrait of herself and her husband, and former Archibald Prize winner Yvette Coppersmith’s portrait of philanthropist Lady Primrose Potter AC.

This year was also the highest number of finalist works by Aboriginal artists, with 38 represented across the Archibald, Wynne, and Sulman prizes.

The 2023 Archibald, Wynne and Sulman winners will be announced Friday May 5. The Wynne Prize is awarded to the best landscape painting of Australian scenery, or figure sculpture, while the Sulman Prize is given to the best subject painting, genre painting or mural project in oil, acrylic, watercolour or mixed media.

The shortlisted Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prize works will be on exhibition at Art Gallery NSW from May 6-September 3. Find tickets here.

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