Archibald Prize 2024 revealed as Laura Jones wins for portrait of Tim Winton

The 2024 Archibald Prize winner has been chosen by a unanimous decision in what’s been described as a “life-changing moment”.

The 2024 Archibald Prize winner has been revealed, with artist Laura Jones and her portrait of author Tim Winton taking out the top prestigious honour.

Ms Jones is only the 12th female artist to take home the $100,000 prize after the judges made an unanimous decision to select her portrait.

Laura Jones has been named the winner of the 2024 Archibald Prize for her painting of Tim Winton. Picture: Supplied

Her portrait of Winton. Picture: Supplied

“I am shocked and humbled to be chosen as the winner,” Jones said.

“This is a life-changing moment for me.

“I would like to thank my sitter, Tim Winton. Tim is one of the world’s greatest novelists and also a tireless advocate for the environment.

“He is an inspiration to me as both an artist and as a human being.”

Jones said she was inspired to paint Winton after undertaking an artist residency in 2016 dedicated to studying the bleaching of the Great Barrier Reef that preceded a meeting with Winton at an environmental advocacy event.

“I wrote Tim a letter and sent him a book of my reef paintings, and we seemed to really connect on our interest in climate activism,” she said.

“I approached his portrait as if it was a monotype, using thin brushstrokes and letting the paint bleed across the canvas like ink into paper. Dreamy yet direct.”

People preview the Archibald entries at the announcement of the Packing Room Prize at The Art Gallery of NSW on Thursday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nikki Short

Winton said while it took a while to convince him to sit for the portrait, he was honoured that Jones was recognised for her talent.

“I have to admit that I’m a very reluctant sitter, but I had seen Laura’s paintings of the Great Barrier Reef coral gardens, including her beautiful and tragic depictions of coral bleaching, so I was a little more curious and open than usual,” he said.

“After we spoke for a while on the phone it was clear we had some pressing concerns in common, like the fate of our oceans and our culture’s refusal to take the climate emergency seriously, so I ended up agreeing to sit for her.

“She flew across to WA and it ended up being another long and engaging conversation.

“I haven’t seen the portrait properly yet, but this is lovely news.

“I’m thrilled for Laura. She’ll be beside herself.”

The Wynne Prize was awarded to Djakaŋu Yunupiŋu from Yirrkala in the Northern Territory for her painting Nyalala gurmilili.

Djakaŋu Yunupiŋu’s painting Nyalala gurmilili.

Naomi Kantjuriny won the Sulman Prize for her work Minyma mamu tjuta.

The prize is awarded to the best landscape painting of Australian scenery or best example of figure sculpture.

The winning work is one of the largest bark paintings ever produced and the first bark painting to be awarded the Wynne Prize.

The painting depicts the miwatj, or “sunrise side” in Yolŋu Matha, which relates to the northeasternmost part of Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory that receives the first light as the sun rises in the east.

The Sulman Prize, which focuses on the best subject, genre paintings or mural was won by Naomi Kantjuriny for her work Minyma mamu tjuta.

It is the third time an Indigenous Australian has won the prize.

In total, 138 works were selected as finalists across the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman prizes – 57 finalists in the Archibald, 41 in the Wynne and 40 in the Sulman.

There were also 21 works by Aboriginal artists selected as finalists in the Wynne Prize, which makes it the first time in the prize’s history that there are more works by Aboriginal artists than non-Aboriginal artists.

Matt Adnate was awarded the Archibald Packing Room Prize for his portrait of Baker Boy. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nikki Short

The Wynne Prize is for landscape painting of Australia scenery or the best example of figure sculpture.

Last week, a portrait of ARIA Award-winning Yolngu rapper, dancer, artist and actor Baker Boy won the prestigious 2024 Packing Room Prize.

The Rhythms of heritage portrait by NSW Northern Rivers-based artist Matt Adnate was selected by the packers.

The $3000 Packing Room Prize is judged and awarded by Art Gallery of NSW staff who receive, unpack and hang the entries.

Originally published as Archibald Prize 2024 revealed as Laura Jones wins for portrait of Tim Winton