- Melbourne artist Sean Layh has been named the winner of the Packing Room Prize 2026 at the Art Gallery of New South Wales for his portrait of actor Jacob Collins as Hamlet.
- The portrait, titled The tragicall historie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke, is also one of 59 Archibald finalists announced.
- As well as for the Archibald, finalists for the Wynne and Sulman Prizes have also been announced, as well as for the Young Archie 2026.
With just his first time painting an official portrait, artist Sean Layh has won the Packing Room Prize for 2026.
Layh, a figurative painter, was inspired to capture actor Jacob Collins as Hamlet after seeing him perform the role in 2024.
More than 1000 portraits were entered into the Archibald Prize in 2026, and today the 59 finalists hand-picked by the Trustees of the Art Gallery of NSW were announced alongside the finalists for the Wynne and Sulman Prize and the Young Archies.
The Art Gallery staff who receive, unpack and hang the entries vote for their favourite of the Archibald works, with the Head Packers casting the deciding vote. William Newell and Alexis Wildman, senior installation officers and members of the Art Gallery’s Packing Room team, announced the winner.
“Sean’s entry was an instant standout for the Packing Room crew. It’s a dark, complex and beautiful double portrait – a tormented Hamlet portrayed by actor Jacob Collins, captured by Sean with his obvious compassion and technical skill.
“We couldn’t stop looking at the painting; the work feels alive, as if the exchange between artist, character and actor continues to unfold on the canvas,’ said Newell.
A jetlagged Layh, who has just flown back from London, said it was the greatest honour of his artistic career, which has only been going for about five years.
As well as the coveted title, as the winner of the Packing Room Prize, Layh walks away with $3000 in prizemoney.
Sean Layh is this year’s Packing Room Prize winner
Born in Melbourne, Sean Layh is a self-taught figurative painter who was drawn to art from an early age. He initially pursued a PhD in biological science at Monash University, before leaving academia during the COVID-19 pandemic to commit to painting full-time. He said this was his first “official” portrait.
In announcing the winner Alexis Wildman added: “There’s a quiet intensity to the work and, despite the surrounding darkness, light persists. It’s the balance of tension and subtle illumination that ultimately set this painting apart for us.”
A delighted Layh said: “There is something special about being selected from a group of your peers, as many of the Packing Room crew are artists themselves. It is particularly special as one painting that left a deep impression on me as a teenager was Paul Newton’s 2001 Archibald entry, Roy and HG, which won the Packing Room Prize that year. It’s surreal to receive the same honour 25 years later.
Sneak peek at The Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes Finalists
Sydney Travel Guide enjoyed early access and got a first look at the finalists’ artwork, selected from 2524 entries to all three prizes. You can see them for yourself from Saturday, May 9, when the exhibition opens until August 16, 2026.
Archibald Prize Finalists
The Archibald Prize is awarded annually to the best portrait of figures from music, journalism, stage and screen, and of course other artists. They range in size from two metres across to to one, of influencer Sophia Begg, on the size of an iPhone.
The winning artist, who will be announced next Friday, May 8, will receive $100,000 in prize money.
Wynne Prize Finalists
The Wynne Prize is Australia’s oldest art prize. It was established following a bequest by Richard Wynne and was first awarded in 1897 to mark the official opening of the Art Gallery at its present site. The Wynne Prize provides a platform for artists pushing the boundaries of landscape and figure sculpture and celebrates the enduring and evolving relationships with Country.
This year, there were over 773 entries, with 52 finalists selected, and the winner will receive $50,000.
Sulman Prize Finalists
Each year, a guest judge selects the artwork they consider to be the best subject painting, genre painting or mural by an artist resident in Australia.
This year, the Sulman will be judged by renowned artist Del Kathryn Barton. There are 26 finalists whittled down from 717 entries and the winning artist will receive $40,000.
The 2026 Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prize Exhibition
Where: Art Gallery of NSW, Naala Nura, Major exhibition gallery, Lower Level 2 Art Gallery Rd, Sydney NSW 2000.
When: Saturday, May 9 until Sunday, August 16, 2026.
Price: Adult $30, youth (12-17 years) $10, concession $25, member $25. Tickets on weekends and public holidays attract a $2 surcharge.
On Wednesdays, visitors from 5pm-10pm can book two tickets for the price of one.
Find out more at artgallery.nsw.gov.au
