There aren't many days on an Australian artist's calendar much bigger than the announcement of the Packing Room Prize alongside the Wynne, Archibald and Sulman prize finalists. And today is that day. The Art Gallery of NSW gathered media in its hallowed halls early this morning to announce the 2026 prize winners and finalists this morning. Luckily, RUSSH was on-site at the gallery to take it all in and report back on everything that was announced...
Who won he Packing Room Prize in 2026?
Sean Layh was this year's Packing Room Prize winner for his portrait of British Australian actor Jacob Collins, titled The tragicall historie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke. The pair came to meet after Layh saw Collins perform as Hamlet in Melbourne back in 2024. Layh said in his artist's statement that the play was "performed by candlelight in a tight physical setting and blended Hamlet's dark introspection with the plot's spooky supernatural undercurrent."
When accepting the prize this morning, Layh said it was "one of the great honours of my professional life".
“Sean’s entry was an instant standout for the packing room crew," said senior installation officer William Newell. "We couldn’t stop looking a the painting; the work feels alive, as if the exchange between artist, character and actor continues to unfold."
Layh is a self-taught, figurative painter known for his large-scale, multi-figure compositions. His work explores dramatic themes from classical Western literature and theatre, focusing on fate, conflict, and choice from narratives by Sophocles to Shakespeare. Earlier in 2026, Layh also won Best in Show and first place in the Figurative category at the 18th Art Renewal Centre's Salon Competition.
You can find out more about the artist on his website.
What is the Packing Room Prize?
The Packing Room Prize is a $3,000 cash award presented each year by the Art Gallery of New South Wales to one of the portrait entries in the prestigious Archibald Prize. Gallery staff who receive, unpack and hang the portaits each year are the prize's selectors (typically led by the head packer).
Who were this year's Wynne, Archibald and Sulman prize finalists?
You can find a full list of the Wynne finalists, the Archibald finalists and the Sulman finalists on the AGNSW website now, alongside images of each artwork.
Alongside Jacob Collins, other notable Australians featured in 2026 finalist portraits include: actors Marta Dusseldorp and Chloé Hayden, the current Governor-General Sam Mostyn, Bondi shooting hero Ahmed Al Ahmed, musicians Daniel Johns (of Silverchair) and Adam Hyde (aka Keli Holiday), AFL player Mitch Brown, artist Khaled Sabsabi and ABC journalist Virginia Trioli.
When are the Wynne, Archibald and Sulman winners announced?
Friday, 8 May 2026.
When is the exhibit running?
The Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes 2026 exhibition will be on display from 9 May until 16 August 2026 at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. Exhibit tickets and pricing information are available now on the AGNSW website.
Feature image: Packing Room Prize 2026 winner Sean Layh, The tragicall historie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke © the artist.
