NAS Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prize Finalists

NAS Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prize Finalists

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALUMNI, STAFF AND STUDENT FINALISTS

NAS would like to congratulate all the finalists of this year’s Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes who were announced today at the Art Gallery of NSW. We are very proud of the many NAS alumni, staff and current students who are among those finalists, listed below.

NAS alumni, staff and student finalists for 2022 (20% of finalists over all three prizes)

Archibald: Ann Cape, Eliza Gosse, Fiona Lowry, Noel McKenna, Jude Rae, Jordan Richardson, Joan Ross, Wendy Sharpe, Natasha Walsh (17% of finalists)

Wynne: Dean Cross, Lucy Culliton, Geoff Harvey, Juz Kitson, Noel McKenna, Angus Nivison, Jude Rae (22% of finalists)

Sulman: Brodie Cullen, Noel McKenna, Gigi Malherbe, Rodney Pople, Leslie Rice, Wendy Sharpe, Sophie Victoria (24% of finalists)

Three NAS students are first-time finalists in the Sulman Prize: third-year Bachelor of Fine Art student Gigi Malherbe, Master of Fine Art student Sophie Victoria and Master of Fine Art student Brodie Cullen. Sophie was recently awarded the $20,000 Bird Holcomb Foundation Scholarship to undertake her MFA at NAS. Brodie was convinced to enter by his NAS painting teacher Leslie Rice (also a Sulman finalist this year), while Gigi was encouraged to enter by her parents, Robert Malherbe and Dana Rayson. Robert is a multiple Archibald/Wynne/Sulman finalist and is included again in this year’s Archibald Prize with a portrait of Dana.

Twenty-one-year-old Gigi said Hellfire Vacation was painted at the end of 2021: “The image is derived from a photograph I took of myself in a costume I had created from found fabrics and materials at Reverse Garbage. I was interested in depicting textiles and theatrical images through paint as well as using references from my Baltic background with the use of folklore imps, devils and masks.”

NAS Director and CEO Steven Alderton says, “We are always so thrilled to see so many members of the NAS community in these major annual prizes. I would particularly like to salute our two student finalists, seeing them take the initiative and have the confidence to put their works up for judgement. We are proud that NAS has a long history of Archibald winners, with the prize won 30 times over the past 100 years by NAS alumni or staff.”

 

Image: Sulman finalist NAS student Gigi Malherbe, Hellfire vacation (2021) acrylic on canvas, 152 x 122 cm
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Congratulations to NAS Short Courses Painting Lecturer Michelle Hiscock (@michellelouisemariehiscock) for winning the 2025 Portia Geach Memorial Award with her work, 'The Weather Watcher after Zurbarán'. 

The Portia Geach Memorial Award is the pre-eminent portraiture prize for women in Australia, established by Florence Kate Geach in memory of her sister in 1965. 

An exhibition of all finalists’ works is open for public viewing at the S.H. Ervin Gallery (@shervingallery) in The Rocks, Sydney, from Friday 19 September until Sunday 2 November.

Visit shop.nas.edu.au (link in bio) to book now for Term 4 Short Courses. Summer School Short Courses in January 2026 will open for booking from Friday 3 October. 

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Michelle Hiscock, 'The Weather Watcher after Zurbarán', 2025, oil on linen, 50 x 40 cm, courtesy of the artist and the S.H. Ervin Gallery (The Rocks, Sydney)
Don’t miss out on your chance to bid on an artwork at the NAS Gala! Get your tickets now and join us for an unforgettable evening celebrating the treasures of the National Art School, our artists.

Announcing a thrilling line up of artists contributing artworks to our live and silent auction. This is your opportunity to add a special piece of art by a celebrated NAS artist to your collection.

Ann Thomson
Bernard Ollis OAM
Reg Mombassa
Eliza Gosse
Euan Macleod
Gene A'Hern
Guido Maestri
Guy Warren AM
Joan Ross
Juz Kitson
Mitch Cairns
Rosemary Lee
Wendy Sharpe AM FRSN
Zoe Young
More to come…

NAS Gala | National Treasures
Art Auction and Cocktail Party
Friday 21 November, 6.00pm – 11.30pm
Cell Block Theatre, National Art School

Purchase tickets at the link in bio.
Join us for the closing party for The Neighbour at the Gate – 'Afterglow', headlined by Miss Kaninna, and featuring performances by HYLANDER, Rocky Stallone, BRINA, Kuya Hennessy and DJ Court Jester. This free, 18+ concert will be a night to remember! 

Thursday 16 October 2025 
4.30pm – 10pm 
Cell Block Theatre 

RSVP at the link in bio. 

The Neighbour at the Gate has been made possible with the generous support of the NSW Government through its Blockbusters Funding initiative.
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