Abdul Abdullah wins 2025 Archibald Packing Room Prize

Abdul Abdullah has won the $3,000 Packing Room Prize at the 2025 Archibald Prize for his portrait 'No Mountain High Enough,' depicting artist Jason Phu astride a horse. The Packing Room Prize, now in its 34th year, is uniquely judged by staff members responsible for handling the Archibald Prize entries at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. Abdullah was chosen from among 57 finalists, a group notable this year for its emphasis on artists painting each other or themselves, with fewer celebrity sitters than usual. Jason Phu, the subject of Abdullah's portrait, is also a finalist with his own entry featuring actor Hugo Weaving. The lineup also includes portraits of public figures such as Nicole Kidman, Grace Tame, and Aaron Chen, while political sitters are notably rare. The Archibald, Wynne, and Sulman Prizes exhibitions will be on display at the Art Gallery of New South Wales from May 10 to August 17, 2025, with major prize winners to be announced on May 9.