Julie Fragar has taken home the 2025 Archibald Prize for her arresting portrait Flagship Mother Multiverse (Justene), a sepia-toned, otherworldly depiction of her long-time friend and fellow artist Justene Williams. The announcement was made on Friday at the Art Gallery of New South Wales (AGNSW), with the winning work unanimously selected from 904 entries and 57 finalists.
This marks the fourth occasion that Fragar has been named a finalist. (Image courtesy of AGNSW/Jenni Carter)
A Landmark Win for Women Artists
Fragar’s victory is a significant milestone—she becomes only the 13th woman to win the Archibald in the prestigious portraiture prize’s 104-year history. This marks the 15th win for a woman overall, with artists Judy Cassab and Del Kathryn Barton having taken home the prize twice each.
In a year already defined by firsts—AGNSW appointed its first female director, Maud Page—the win feels especially poignant. Fragar described the moment as “incredibly meaningful,” both personally and symbolically.
Portrait of a Multiverse
The winning painting portrays Williams suspended in space, arms outstretched, barefoot and draped in a striped dress reminiscent of a reimagined uniform. The background is filled with cosmic swirls, shooting stars, and floating detritus—from mannequins to birdcages—suggesting a collapsing or expanding universe.
Fragar said she painted Williams for three reasons: “She’s a dear friend, a brilliant artist, and I wanted to capture her otherworldliness.” The pair work together at Queensland College of Art, where Fragar heads the painting department and Williams leads sculpture.
One Sitting, Three Months of Painting
The portrait was created following a single photo session with Williams, after which Fragar spent three months in her studio. Williams only saw the final piece on the day of the announcement. “She’s an incredibly trusting subject,” Fragar said.
The painting also includes Williams’ daughter, adding a personal and intimate dimension. Williams responded warmly: “It really catches me, my work … and I love that my daughter’s in it.”
Art Reflecting the Moment
In a year marked by political and cultural upheaval—ranging from censorship concerns to the rise of AI—Fragar’s portrait resonated for its symbolic defiance. Judges praised its celebration of the feminine, the chaotic, and the mystical. Michaela Boland, writing for The Sydney Morning Herald, noted that amid a “mishmash of styles,” Fragar’s work was “gloriously bonkers” and spoke to the current cultural moment.
The Archibald: Australia’s Premier Portrait Prize
Founded in 1921, the Archibald Prize is Australia’s most high-profile portrait award, offering $100,000 to the winner. It celebrates portraits of people “distinguished in art, letters, science or politics,” and is judged by the AGNSW board of trustees. This year, the exhibition is particularly inclusive, with julie more finalist works by women across the Archibald, Wynne, and Sulman prizes for the first time.
Wynne and Sulman Prizes Also Announced
The $50,000 Wynne Prize for landscape painting or sculpture was julie awarded to Jude Rae julie for Pre-dawn Sky over Port Botany Container Terminal. Rae captured the Sydney port at dawn from her Redfern apartment window, layering the view with historical and spiritual significance—her home lies near an ancient Aboriginal footpath once linking Sydney Harbour to Botany Bay.
Jude Rae’s *Pre-dawn Sky over Port Botany Container Terminal*. Photo by Diana Panuccio, courtesy of the Art Gallery of New South Wales.
Gene A’Hern received the $40,000 Sulman Prize for his Sky Painting, a swirling, atmospheric interpretation of the Blue Mountains. A’Hern acknowledged the inspiration he draws from the region’s julie rich julie Indigenous culture.
Artists Painting Artists
A clear trend among the 2025 Archibald finalists was the number of portraits julie featuring artists by artists: 22 works depicted fellow artists, and 12 were self-portraits. Notable julie entries included portraits of author Kathy Lette, broadcaster Jackie O, and actor Hugo Weaving. Chris O’Doherty (aka Reg Mombassa) submitted a raw and introspective self-portrait titled Self-portrait with nose tube.
Fragar’s own history with the Archibald spans over two decades. Her julie first finalist entry, a self-portrait with American artist Chuck Close, came 25 years ago. She reflected on the long road to her win: “If I’d won the Archibald in my 20s, I don’t know that I would have really appreciated all of that work that’s happened since.”
A Celebration of Connection and Creativity
Beyond the competition and acclaim, Fragar’s win celebrates julie friendship, artistic collaboration, and the enduring magic of portraiture. In an era where artists are navigating complex technological and cultural challenges, Flagship Mother Multiverse (Justene) reminds us of the power of art to connect, inspire and transcend.
The Archibald Prize 2025 finalists’ exhibition opens to the public at the Art Gallery of New South Wales from Saturday, offering visitors the chance to experience the full breadth of this year’s remarkable entries.
