Archibald Prize Artists

Bluethumb is the Home of Australian Artists. As Australia's largest art marketplace, we connect art lovers and collectors with emerging and established local artist talent.

We are proud to present the list of Bluethumb artist Archibald Prize finalists from recent years. Plus congratulate Blak Douglas as the Archibald Prize Winner for 2022.

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How Fast Are You Going Now? by Blak Douglas

Celebrating Australian Portrait Painting

The Archibald Prize has a rich history as one of Australia's most prominent and coveted art prizes.

Awarded annually since 1921, the Archibald Prize celebrates portraiture through the artistic flair of its entrants and their subject matter, most often distinguished Australians from the fields of arts, letters, science or politics.

Finalists are exhibited at the Art Gallery of NSW, home also to the prestigious Sulman Prize, Wynne Prize and the Dobell Drawing Prize.

Bluethumb Archibald Prize Finalists

Blak Douglas

14484 Views

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253 Followers

Archibald Prize Winner 2022, Finalist 2015 / 2018 / 2019 / 2020 / 2022

Archibald Prize Winner 2022. Born to a Dhungatti Aboriginal father and caucasian mother, Blak Douglas trained in illustration and photography. An award winning and groundbreaking artist with a style influenced by the study of graphic design and devoutly politicised per social justice.

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Kim Leutwyler

147240 Views

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894 Followers

Archibald Prize Finalist 2015 / 2017 / 2019 / 2021 / 2022

Born in America, Sydney-based Kim Leutwyler migrated to Australia in 2012. She works in a variety of media including painting, installation, ceramics, printmedia and drawing. Leutwyler holds concurrent bachelor degrees in Studio and Art History from Arizona State University, and additionally graduated from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago with a Painting and Drawing degree.

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(CreativeWork) Jess with Red and Green by Kim Leutwyler. Oil. Shop online at Bluethumb.
(CreativeWork) Faustina the Fuzz by Kim Leutwyler. Oil. Shop online at Bluethumb.
(CreativeWork) Karen from Finance by Kim Leutwyler. Oil. Shop online at Bluethumb.
(CreativeWork) Sally by Kim Leutwyler. Oil. Shop online at Bluethumb.
(CreativeWork) Heyman by Kim Leutwyler. Oil. Shop online at Bluethumb.
(CreativeWork) Tamara by Kim Leutwyler. Oil. Shop online at Bluethumb.
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Dagmar Cyrulla

4908 Views

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162 Followers

Archibald Prize Finalist 2021

Melbourne-based artist Dagmar Cyrulla constructs contemporary narratives in her paintings and sculptures, encouraging contemplation and discussion of what it is to be human in this ever-changing and socially challenging world. Dagmar’s works have been featured in several solo exhibitions, together with exhibiting in a number of prominent group exhibitions. She has been awarded several national and international residencies and grants. Dagmar’s works are held in both private and public collections.

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Edward Humphrey

9834 Views

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82 Followers

Archibald Prize Finalist 2020

Sydney-based Edward captures political, environmental, societal and personal contexts into real life portraits. 2020 was a milestone year after he was selected as an Archibald Prize Finalist.

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Stan Walker leaning against brick wall
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Loribelle Spirovski

89755 Views

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623 Followers

Archibald Prize Finalist 2017 / 2018 / 2019

Born in 1990 to a Filipino mother and Yugoslav father, Loribelle is known best for her portraits, which often incorporate elements of surrealism and photorealism. Loribelle has been a finalist in the Archibald Prize multiple times and won the 2021 Bluethumb Art Prize.

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(CreativeWork) Homme 14 by Loribelle Spirovski. Acrylic. Shop online at Bluethumb.
(CreativeWork) Homme 17 by Loribelle Spirovski. Acrylic. Shop online at Bluethumb.
(CreativeWork) Claudio by Loribelle Spirovski. Oil. Shop online at Bluethumb.
Landscape of Australia framed in a blue arch. In the middle of the composition is a partially painted man who looks directly at the viewer. The background is predominantly red, which mimics the effect of disembowelment and flayed flesh.
In the middle of a dark empty background is a nude male seen from the waist up. He is looking just beyond the viewer with a haunted expression.
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Kate Gradwell

129320 Views

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2196 Followers

Archibald Prize Finalist 2019

UK born with a PhD in Chemistry, art is a second career for Kate Gradewell after working at the CSIRO. Painting across a range of styles and media, her work encompasses landscape, portraiture and figurative work, and is held in private collections around the world.

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(CreativeWork) Snow ward bound 2 by Kate Gradwell. Oil. Shop online at Bluethumb.
(CreativeWork) Vivid 1 by Kate Gradwell. Acrylic. Shop online at Bluethumb.
(CreativeWork) Rabi by Kate Gradwell. Acrylic. Shop online at Bluethumb.
(CreativeWork) Chook by Kate Gradwell. Acrylic. Shop online at Bluethumb.
(CreativeWork) Angophora crimson by Kate Gradwell. Acrylic. Shop online at Bluethumb.
(CreativeWork) King Of Flowers by Kate Gradwell. Acrylic. Shop online at Bluethumb.
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Amani Haydar

49000 Views

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317 Followers

Archibald Prize Finalist 2018

Amani Haydar is an artist, lawyer, mum and advocate who uses painting and mixed media. Her self-portrait, 'Insert Headline Here' was a finalist in the 2018 Archibald Prize, and her writing and illustrations have been featured on SBS Life and ABC News Online.

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(CreativeWork) Minimal expression study II by Amani Haydar. Mixed Media. Shop online at Bluethumb.
(CreativeWork) Hope in Paisley by Amani Haydar. Mixed Media. Shop online at Bluethumb.
(CreativeWork) Renewal (2019) by Amani Haydar. Mixed Media. Shop online at Bluethumb.
(CreativeWork) Flowers for a rainy day by Amani Haydar. Acrylic. Shop online at Bluethumb.
(CreativeWork) Rage in silence (2019) by Amani Haydar. Mixed Media. Shop online at Bluethumb.
(CreativeWork) SOLIDARITY by Amani Haydar. Mixed Media. Shop online at Bluethumb.
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Jamie Preisz

24023 Views

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252 Followers

Archibald Packing Room Prize Winner 2018

Archibald Packing Room Prize winner in 2018, and repeat finalist for prestigious awards including the Doug Moran Portrait Prize. Jamie works predominantly with painting and drawing, with a playful love of abstraction and realism.

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(CreativeWork) Skull by Jamie Preisz. Watercolour. Shop online at Bluethumb.
(CreativeWork) Self Portrait as the Blind Captain by Jamie Preisz. Oil. Shop online at Bluethumb.
(CreativeWork) Sam Cutler by Jamie Preisz. Oil. Shop online at Bluethumb.
(CreativeWork) Glib by Jamie Preisz. Oil. Shop online at Bluethumb.
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PHIL MEATCHEM

18375 Views

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391 Followers

Archibald Prize Finalist 2017

Born in Sydney in 1958, Meatchem studied for a year at the Julian Ashton Art School. After a 40-year career as a director of television commercials, he recently took up painting full-time. This is his first time in the Archibald Prize, but is regularly a finalist in many of Australia's most prestigious art prizes.

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(CreativeWork) La Femme by PHIL MEATCHEM. Acrylic. Shop online at Bluethumb.
(CreativeWork) Hornbag by PHIL MEATCHEM. Acrylic. Shop online at Bluethumb.
(CreativeWork) Vulcan Conray by PHIL MEATCHEM. Acrylic. Shop online at Bluethumb.
(CreativeWork) The Sign Painter,T.J. Guzzardi by PHIL MEATCHEM. Acrylic. Shop online at Bluethumb.
(CreativeWork) Peter by PHIL MEATCHEM. Acrylic. Shop online at Bluethumb.
(CreativeWork) Alan by PHIL MEATCHEM. Acrylic. Shop online at Bluethumb.
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Melissa Ritchie

35086 Views

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443 Followers

Archibald Prize Finalist 2016

Born in Georgia USA in 1978, Melissa moved to Australian as a baby and grew up in Windang, on the South Coast NSW. Melissa established a career in advertising since 1999, and started portrait and still life painting in 2012. Melissa has been a finalist in many Australian Art Prizes including the Archibald Prize, Eutick Memorial Still Life Award, Kennedy Prize, Kilgour Prize, Pirtek Still Life Award, Shirley Hannan Portrait Prize, Brisbane Portrait Prize, Black Swan Portraiture Prize, Portia Geach Memorial Art Award, John Copes Portrait Prize and the Percival Portrait Prize. Melissa won Wollongong Art Gallery’s ‘Postcodes from the Edge Art Prize’ in 2016.

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(CreativeWork) Roses in Crystal by Melissa Ritchie. Oil. Shop online at Bluethumb.
(CreativeWork) Tea on Turquoise by Melissa Ritchie. Oil. Shop online at Bluethumb.
Two decorative glass bottles hold pink and purple fuchsia flowers and leaves, The glass bottles are sitting on a white bench, with a dark blue wall backgound.
A blue and purple hydrangea bloom sits ina small cut crystal posy vase. To the left another hydranea bloom (similar to the one in the vase) lies next to the vase. A purple paper crane sits to the right of the vase, a common motif in my still life paintings that means creativity.
A bottle of perfume (with the text Coco Loco Chérie Amour) has a single white rose placed in the bottle like a vase. Another white rose lies to the left of the bottle, while the perfume lid sits to the left of the bottle. With multiple light sources casting many shadows, a beautiful transparent shadow made by light passing through the yellow liquid is cast in front of the bottle.
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Nicolee Payne

16197 Views

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130 Followers

Archibald Prize Finalist 2014

Nicolee Payne began her career drawing licenced characters for a leading toy manufacturer, and designing style guides for the ABC Children's Television Department. Her passion lies with animal portraits, though her work took a new direction in 2014 when she was selected as a 2014 Archibald finalist with her portrait of Rugby League legend Fui Fui Moi Moi.

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(CreativeWork) BLACK BLOOD by Nicolee Payne. Oil. Shop online at Bluethumb.
(CreativeWork) SOLOMON by Nicolee Payne. Oil. Shop online at Bluethumb.
(CreativeWork) JWH by Nicolee Payne. Oil. Shop online at Bluethumb.
(CreativeWork) GORILLA GANG by Nicolee Payne. Oil. Shop online at Bluethumb.
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Mertim Gokalp

26684 Views

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229 Followers

Archibald Prize Finalist 2013

Mertim Gokalp came to Australia in 2009. Within a few year after his migration, he has been selected as a finalist in all the top portrait exhibitions here: the Archibald Prize; the Doug Moran Portrait Prize; and the Black Swan Art Prize. These accomplishments in short time allowed him to receive a distinguished talent visa by the Australian Government for him to live and work in Australia. He recently became an Australian citizen.

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(CreativeWork) Blue Mourning Ed. 1 of 20 by Mertim Gokalp. Reproduction Print. Shop online at Bluethumb.
(CreativeWork) Blue Angel (Limited ed. 1 of 20) Ed. 1 of 20 by Mertim Gokalp. Reproduction Print. Shop online at Bluethumb.
(CreativeWork) spaghetti & wine by Mertim Gokalp. Oil. Shop online at Bluethumb.
(CreativeWork) Getting ready for dinner ( Portrait of Manu Feildel ) by Mertim Gokalp. Oil. Shop online at Bluethumb.
(CreativeWork) Telephone call from GOD by Mertim Gokalp. Oil. Shop online at Bluethumb.
(CreativeWork) mama keeps me warm by Mertim Gokalp. Oil. Shop online at Bluethumb.
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Leeka Gruzdeff

24826 Views

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227 Followers

Archibald Prize Finalist 1986 / 1988

Leeka Gruzdeff was born in Lithuania and arrived in Australian1960 and did her degree at the National Art School. She has been a life long artist and teacher. Gruzdeff has been awarded over 110 prizes and has been twice hung in the Archibald Prize, in 1986 with her portrait of Rita Hunter and in 1988 with her portrait if Don Burrows.

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(CreativeWork) Cowpasture on Turon River by Leeka Gruzdeff. Acrylic. Shop online at Bluethumb.
(CreativeWork) Avenue in Autumn by Leeka Gruzdeff. Acrylic. Shop online at Bluethumb.
(CreativeWork) Light house Woollongong by Leeka Gruzdeff. Acrylic. Shop online at Bluethumb.
Dancing and twisting with swinging skirts and Rock and Roll music.
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List of Archibald Prize Winners

  • 1921 - W B McInnes
  • 1922 - W B McInnes
  • 1923 - W B McInnes
  • 1924 - W B McInnes
  • 1925 - John Longstaff
  • 1926 - W B McInnes
  • 1927 - George W. Lambert
  • 1928 - John Longstaff
  • 1929 - John Longstaff
  • 1930 - W B McInnes
  • 1931 - John Longstaff
  • 1932 - Ernest Buckmaster
  • 1933 - Charles Wheeler
  • 1934 - Henry Hanke
  • 1935 - John Longstaff
  • 1936 - W B McInnes
  • 1937 - Normand Baker
  • 1938 - Nora Heysen
  • 1939 - Max Meldrum
  • 1940 - Max Meldrum
  • 1941 - William Dargie
  • 1942 - William Dargie
  • 1943 - William Dobell
  • 1944 - Joshua Smith
  • 1945 - William Dargie
  • 1946 - William Dargie
  • 1947 - William Dargie
  • 1948 - William Dobell
  • 1949 - Arthur Murch
  • 1950 - William Dargie
  • 1951 - Ivor Hele
  • 1952 - William Dargie
  • 1953 - Ivor Hele
  • 1954 - Ivor Hele
  • 1955 - Ivor Hele
  • 1956 - William Dargie
  • 1957 - Ivor Hele
  • 1958 - William Pidgeon
  • 1959 - William Dobell
  • 1960 - Judy Cassab
  • 1961 - William Pidgeon
  • 1962 - Louis Kahan
  • 1963 - Jack Carington Smith
  • 1964 - No Award
  • 1965 - Clifton Pugh
  • 1966 - Jon Molvig
  • 1967 - Judy Cassab
  • 1968 - William Pidgeon
  • 1969 - Ray Crooke
  • 1970 - Eric Smith
  • 1971 - Clifton Pugh
  • 1972 - Clifton Pugh
  • 1973 - Janet Dawson
  • 1974 - Sam Fullbrook
  • 1975 - Kevin Connor
  • 1976 - Brett Whiteley
  • 1977 - Kevin Connor
  • 1978 - Brett Whiteley
  • 1979 - Wes Walters
  • 1980 - No Award
  • 1981 - Eric Smith
  • 1982 - Eric Smith
  • 1983 - Nigel Thomson
  • 1984 - Keith Looby
  • 1985 - Guy Warren
  • 1986 - Davida Allen
  • 1987 - William Robinson
  • 1988 - Fred Cress
  • 1989 - Bryan Westwood
  • 1990 - Geoffrey Proud
  • 1991 - Bryan Westwood
  • 1992 - Bryan Westwood
  • 1993 - Garry Shead
  • 1994 - Francis Giacco
  • 1995 - William Robinson
  • 1996 - Wendy Sharpe
  • 1997 - Nigel Thomson
  • 1998 - Lewis Miller
  • 1999 - Euan Macleod
  • 2000 - Adam Cullen
  • 2001 - Nicholas Harding
  • 2002 - Cherry Hood
  • 2003 - Geoffrey Dyer
  • 2004 - Craig Ruddy
  • 2005 - John Olsen
  • 2006 - Marcus Wills
  • 2007 - John Beard
  • 2008 - Del Kathryn Barton
  • 2009 - Guy Maestri
  • 2010 - Sam Leach
  • 2011 - Ben Quilty
  • 2012 - Tim Storrier
  • 2013 - Del Kathryn Barton
  • 2014 - Fiona Lowry
  • 2015 - Nigel Milsom
  • 2016 - Louise Hearman
  • 2017 - Mitch Cairns
  • 2018 - Yvette Coppersmith
  • 2019 - Tony Costa
  • 2020 - Vincent Namatjira
  • 2021 - Peter Wegner
  • 2022 - Blak Douglas
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