The winners of the 2026 Young Archie competition, the children's portrait prize associated with the prestigious Archibald Prize, have been announced. The competition, which celebrates young artistic talent across Australia, received thousands of entries from children aged 5 to 18.
Category Winners and Their Works
In the 5-8 years category, first place went to Mia Chen, 7, from Sydney, for her vibrant portrait of her grandmother titled "Nanna's Garden." The judges praised the work's "bold use of colour and emotional depth." Second place was awarded to Ethan Williams, 8, from Brisbane, for his portrait of a local firefighter, while third place went to Olivia Zhao, 6, from Melbourne, for a self-portrait titled "Me and My Cat."
In the 9-12 years category, the winner was Lucas Nguyen, 11, from Perth, with his portrait of Indigenous elder Aunty May. The artwork was described by the judging panel as "a powerful and sensitive depiction that captures the subject's wisdom and resilience." Runner-up in this category was Sophie Brown, 10, from Adelaide, for her portrait of a Sudanese refugee classmate, and third place went to Jack Thompson, 12, from Hobart, for a portrait of his father working on a fishing boat.
The 13-15 years category saw first place awarded to Isabella Rossi, 14, from Melbourne, for her self-portrait "Reflection," which used mixed media including acrylic and charcoal. The judges noted the "sophisticated composition and introspective quality." Second place went to Liam O'Brien, 15, from rural New South Wales, for a portrait of a shearer, and third place to Aisha Khan, 13, from Sydney, for a portrait of her grandmother in traditional dress.
In the 16-18 years category, the winner was Chloe Wang, 17, from Brisbane, for her portrait of a homeless man she met at a shelter. The portrait was described as "a compassionate and technically accomplished work that challenges viewers to see beyond stereotypes." Runner-up was James Park, 18, from Canberra, for a portrait of a Vietnam War veteran, and third place went to Emily Davis, 16, from Adelaide, for a portrait of a young climate activist.
Judging and Exhibition
The Young Archie competition is judged by a panel including the Archibald Prize winner of the previous year, along with art educators and curators. This year's head judge, Archibald Prize 2025 winner Dr. Margaret Chen, said: "The standard of entries was exceptionally high. These young artists demonstrate a remarkable ability to capture not just likeness, but the essence of their subjects. It gives me great hope for the future of Australian portraiture."
The winning entries, along with highly commended works, are now on display at the Art Gallery of New South Wales as part of the Archibald Prize exhibition, which runs until October 10. The exhibition also features the main Archibald Prize finalists, the Wynne Prize for landscape, and the Sulman Prize for genre painting.
Impact and Recognition
The Young Archie competition, now in its 10th year, has become a significant platform for nurturing young artistic talent in Australia. Past winners have gone on to study at leading art schools and pursue careers in the arts. The competition is open to Australian children and young people, with entries submitted through schools or individually.
According to the Art Gallery of New South Wales, the competition received over 3,500 entries this year, a 15% increase from the previous year. The gallery's director, Dr. Michael Brand, said: "The Young Archie competition continues to grow in popularity and importance. It encourages young people to engage with portraiture and to tell stories about the people who matter to them."
The winning artists each receive a cash prize and art materials, with the overall winner in the 16-18 category also receiving a mentorship opportunity with a professional portrait artist. For many of the participants, being part of the Archibald Prize exhibition is a highlight of their artistic journey.
