The winning portrait of the Archibald’s People’s Choice was painted without a brush

• The 2025 Archibald Prize People’s Choice award has been announced.
• The winner is Loribelle Spirovki, who won the award for her portrait entitled Finger Painting of William Barton.
• The incredible portrait was made entirely using a finger-painting technique.

The people have spoken: Loribelle Spirovski is the winner of the 2025 Archibald People’s Choice Award for her piece Finger Painting of William Barton.

Her portrait of William Barton, a Kalkadunga man and internationally acclaimed composer, captures him smiling as he holds a yidaki (also known as a didgeridoo). Remarkably, the striking likeness and expressive detail were achieved entirely using her fingers, without a single brush.

Spirovski’s incredible painting came about when she met Barton at a concert last October. Taken by Barton’s presence, she decided she wanted to paint him; however, at the time of the sitting, she was recovering from a nerve injury that left her struggling to paint.

Reflecting on the experience, Spirovski said,

“When it came time to work on William’s portrait, I played his composition “Birdsong at dusk”. As the music began, my hand set the brush aside and I dipped my finger into the soft, pliant paint. I turned the volume up, the music guiding me. Without a brush, painting was almost painless. As the portrait painted itself, I felt alive in a way I hadn’t for a very long time”.

The Manila-born artist immigrated to Australia when she was just eight years old, and now lives and works as a full-time artist in Sydney. She was a finalist in the 2017 Archibald Prize for her painting John Bell at home, in 2018 for Villains always get the best lines and in 2019 for Meg and Amos (and Art).

READ MORE: ‘It doesn’t get better than that’: The 2025 winners of the Archibald Wynne and Sulman Prize

Despite being a four-time Archibald Prize finalist, this year’s People’s Choice award win was particularly emotional for the artist. Spirovski said that she was “so humbled by everyone’s responses to the work.”

“It has been a difficult few years, and this whole experience is the most beautiful reprieve and reward”

What is the People’s Choice Award?

The People’s Choice Award is determined by visitors to the Archibald Prize exhibition at the Art Gallery of NSW (there is also an online vote). At the exhibition, visitors can scan a QR code or complete a paper form to cast a vote for their favourite artwork.

The Archibald Exhibition also awards a Packing Room prize, chosen by the Art Gallery staff who receive, unpack and hang the entries. This year, the Packing Room Prize was awarded to Abdul Abdullah for his portrait, No mountain high enough.

The winner of the prize is awarded $5000 from ANZ. One voter is also selected at random to win the People’s Choice Voters’ Prize (something that takes far less effort and creativity than submitting an Archibald piece). This went to Saan Clemons from Hobart, Tasmania.

The 2025 Archibald Prize was awarded to Julie Fragar, for her oil painting Flagship Mother Multiverse (Justene). The top prize comes with a $100,000 reward, cementing its status as one of the most prestigious art awards in Australia.

Can I still visit the Archibald Prize Exhibition?

The Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes Exhibition continues at the Art Gallery of NSW, with adult tickets priced at $25. Don’t miss your chance — this iconic exhibition closes on Sunday, August 17, 2025.

READ MORE: Photography takes centre stage at Sydney Contemporary 2025

Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prize 2025

Where: Art Gallery of New South Wales, Naala Nura building, Lower level 2, Art Gallery Rd, Sydney NSW 2000.
When: Until August 17, 2025.
Price: Adult $25, concession $22, family $63 (two adults + up to three youth), youth $13 (12-17 years), children under 12 enter free.

Visit on Wednesdays from 5pm to 10pm to get 2-for-1 on your tickets.

For more information, visit artgallery.nsw.gov.au