Meet two North Shore artists whose works have been selected as finalists for this year’s Archibald Prize
BY ALEX DRISCOLL
The Archibald Prize is one of Australia’s most popular and prestigious portrait art prizes, with artists across the country vying for a spot on the finalist list. This year, two North Shore locals, Callum Worsfold and Jessica Ashton, have their portrait artworks on display in the Archibald finalists’ exhibition at the Art Gallery of NSW.
Artarmon-based Callum is making his debut at the Archibalds. At 24, he is four years younger than the youngest ever winner of the prize, an honour which is not lost on the painter.
“I feel like it’s an insanely huge opportunity for me as an artist,” Callum says. “I’m pretty sure the youngest winner of the Archibald was 28, so even just being in the prize alone at this age feels pretty significant to me.” Nora Heysen was 28 in 1938 when she became the youngest person – and the first woman – to win the award.
Callum is satisfied mainly with making the finals. “I’m riding the joy of it,” he says.
Callum’s small yet striking self-portrait
Callum believes his entry, Self-portrait in the studio, stood out due to its size.
At 22.9cm x 12.6cm, the painting is a small self-portrait of himself painting in a mirror. “It’s an historic size,” he explains, highlighting that Australian impressionists have deeply informed his work. “I like to capture the weirder aspects of life, but that’s kind of the fun of it, finding beauty in weird things like wheelie bins.”
Callum believes his eye for the unconventional is what led him down the path of painting. While the children in art class were painting the sky above their homes while creating pictures of their houses, Callum was painting the horizon on his.
He believes art was simply something innate to him, even when he was at school. “I don’t think I really recorded many notes in my work; I just liked doodling constantly,” he recalls. “I was processing the world a little bit differently.”
Callum, with the encouragement of teachers and friends, decided that art and painting were his calling, and with a second attempt, can now boast that he is an Archibald finalist.
Jessica Ashton from Cremorne will also have her entry on display at the NSW Gallery. Unlike Callum, Jessica, 49, is somewhat of Archibald veteran, with this being her third painting selected for the finals.
“It’s still an exciting moment when you find out you’ve been selected,” the humble painter says. “It’s been exciting every time.”
The Archibald Prize is not the only award this esteemed painter has been in contention for. Jessica has also been a three-time finalist for both the Mosman Art Prize and the NSW Parliament Plein Air Painting prize.
For her third Archibald selection, Jessica captured iconic Australian performer and singer Katie Noonan. “For the portraits I’ve been doing lately, I’ve been finding high profile women who are amazing in their field,” Jessica says. “She just fitted all the criteria.”
The portrait, titled Katie Noonan, is a vibrant mix of colours, dominated by a soothing contrast of green and pink. “I used a pink light filter to reflect her kind nature, while the complementary green wall creates a dramatic background,” Jessica explains.
Jessica poses in front of her portrait of Wendy Sharp
Jessica’s vibrant portrait of performer Katie Noonan
She was inspired by Katie’s powerful voice and her work in the community. Jessica believes that the way in which the colours in her painting stand out attracted the judges.
Alongside being a painter, Jessica also teaches in a studio at North Head. She channels her gratitude towards the teachers who inspired her by helping others develop and hone their craft. “I felt really grateful for the skills they gave me. I thought it’d be so nice to (pass that on to other people),” she says.
After a month of having to sit on the information, Callum and Jessica were finally able to tell everyone that they made the finals in early May. You can view both paintings and the works of other finalists at the NSW Art Gallery until 17 August, where visitors can vote for their favourite painting in the People’s Choice Awards.
The Wynne Prize for landscape painting; and the Sulman Prize for subject painting, genre painting and mural projects; and the Young Archie competition for portraits by budding artists aged 5 to 18 are also on display at the gallery.
ARCHIBALD, WYNNE AND SULMAN PRIZES
ART GALLERY OF NSW
Until 17 August
Adults $25 / Concession $22
Members $20 / Youth (12-17) $13
artgallery.nsw.gov.au/prizes/archibald/2025