The 2026 Archibald Prize Finalists Unveiled
The Archibald Prize is one of Australia’s most prestigious art awards, celebrating the best in portrait painting. This year, the 2026 finalists have been announced and will be on display at the Art Gallery of NSW in Sydney from 9 May until 16 August.
The exhibition features a diverse range of subjects, including artists themselves, their friends and family, colleagues, celebrities, politicians, and local heroes. With 59 artworks set to go on display, the 2026 finalists offer a fascinating glimpse into the people who inspire Australian artists.
One of the standout works is by Meagan Pelham, titled “Dreamland Jessica.” The portrait captures Jessica Rowe, a well-known figure in the fashion world. Meagan first met Jessica during Australian Fashion Week in 2024, where they were both guests of Romance Was Born, a local designer. Meagan frequently collaborates with the brand, and Jessica is a big fan, often wearing their designs at public events, including the Health Summit in Sydney in September 2025.
“Jessica is part of my BFF (Best Friends Forever),” said Meagan. “She is a Super Star because she loves fashion and she loves Romance Was Born. People in fashion are my BFFs.”
Jessica’s love for sparkles, bling, and dresses is evident in the portrait, which also includes her beloved cats and dog, Daphne. The artwork features a Romance Was Born gown that Jessica wore in a photoshoot with The Australian Women’s Weekly. She was also the inaugural guest on The Australian Women’s Weekly Love Stories podcast with her husband, Pete Overton.
“My favourite parts are the necklace I handmade with beading for Jessica, and I love the adorable babies, the doggy Daphne and the kittens. I’m so proud of my artwork. It makes me happy,” Meagan said.
“This is a DREAM come true… thank you Meagan for capturing me (and my babies) so perfectly! It makes me cry happy tears,” Jess responded to their post.
Notable Subjects in the 2026 Archibald Prize
The 2026 Archibald Prize finalists include a wide array of notable figures. Among them are:
- Adam Hyde, known as Keli Holiday of Peking Duk, painted by Sindy Sinn
- Margaret Fink, producer of My Brilliant Career (1979) and pioneer of Australian cinema, painted by Nick Stathopoulos
- Journalist Jan Fran, painted by Vicki Sullivan
- Actress Phoebe Tonkin, painted by Zoe Young
- Fashion icons the Zimmerman sisters, painted by Caroline Zilinsky
- Bondi Hero Ahmed Al Ahmed, painted by Julia Dover
- Governor-General Sam Mostyn, painted by James Powditch
- World champion surfer Layne Beachley AO, painted by Stephanie Galloway Brown
- Commonwealth Games medallist and singer Cody Simpson, painted by Kelly Maree
Prizes and Recognition
The winning artist of the Archibald Prize receives $100,000 prize money. In addition to this, there are two other prizes: the $50,000 Wynne Prize, given to the best landscape painting of Australian scenery or figurative sculpture, and the $40,000 Sulman Prize, awarded for the best subject painting, genre painting, or mural project.
There is also the Packing Room Prize, chosen by the Art Gallery staff who unpack and hang the portraits. This $3,000 cash prize was awarded in 2026 to Melbourne artist Sean Layh for his portrait of Australian actor Jacob Collins as Hamlet. It was Sean’s first time as an Archibald Prize finalist.
The winners of the Archibald, Wynne, and Sulman Prizes for 2026 will be announced at 12 pm on Friday, 8 May 2026, at the Art Gallery of New South Wales in Sydney.
