Sean Lay Wins Packing Room Prize
Melbourne artist Sean Lay has won the Packing Room Prize at this year's Archibald Prize. Lay won for his portrait of Australian actor Jacob Collins. The artist is described as self-taught. The winner will be announced next Friday at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. The exhibition is scheduled to open to the public following the announcement. The Archibald is Australia's oldest portrait award and includes the Packing Room Prize, a $3,000 cash award decided by gallery packing staff. The winners of the Archibald and Sulman Prizes for 2026 are scheduled to be announced next Friday. The award was judged by the Art Gallery of New Zealand.
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Sources · 7 independent
ABC NewsRadio AU
“Melbourne artist Sean Lay has won the Packing Room Prize at this year's Archibald Prize for his portrait of Australian actor Jacob Collins.”
ABC NewsRadio AU
“The winners of the Archibald win and Sillman Prizes for 2026 will be announced next Friday, and the exhibition will open to the public.”
2GB Sydney
“The winner of this year's Packing Room Prize has been unveiled. Melbourne's Sean Lay has won the $3,000 award for his portrait of Australian actor Jacob Collins as Hamlet.”
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