Artist Loribelle Spirovski has captured the public’s imagination, winning the 2025 Archibald Prize People’s Choice Award with her unique finger-painted portrait of renowned didgeridoo player William Barton. This accolade marks a significant achievement for Spirovski, a four-time finalist in Australia’s most prestigious portraiture competition.
Spirovski’s portrait of Barton, which was selected from the Archibald Prize finalists by public vote, garnered an unprecedented 40,842 votes, the highest number ever recorded for the People’s Choice category. The artist expressed her joy and gratitude, stating, “I am infinitely grateful to William for allowing me to paint him and so humbled by everyone’s responses to the work. It has been a difficult few years, and this whole experience is the most beautiful reprieve and reward.”
William Barton: A Cultural Ambassador
Barton, a Kalkadunga man and acclaimed composer, is celebrated for his virtuosity with the yidaki, an Indigenous instrument he has played alongside classical orchestras worldwide. His vision of blending the world’s oldest culture with Europe’s rich musical heritage has resonated with audiences globally.
The collaboration between Spirovski and Barton began at a concert where Spirovski’s partner, concert pianist Simon Tedeschi, performed alongside Barton. At the time, Spirovski was recovering from a nerve injury that impaired her ability to paint traditionally. Inspired by Barton’s music, she opted to use her fingers, finding a new, almost painless way to express her artistry.
“When it came time to work on William’s portrait, I played his composition Birdsong at Dusk,” Spirovski recalled. “As the music began, my hand set the brush aside, and I dipped my finger into the soft, pliant paint. I turned the volume up, the music guiding me. Without a brush, painting was almost painless. As the portrait painted itself, I felt alive in a way I hadn’t for a very long time.”
The Artist’s Journey
Born in 1990 in the Philippines to Filipino and Serbian parents, Spirovski immigrated to Australia at the age of eight. Largely self-taught, she has been a finalist in the Archibald Prize in 2017, 2018, and 2019. Her journey reflects a blend of cultural influences and personal resilience, culminating in her current success.
The Art Gallery of New South Wales (AGNSW), which hosts the Archibald Prize annually, saw its director, Maud Page, commend Spirovski’s “well-deserved win and her magnetic portrait of William Barton, rendered with expressive paint strokes and lit by Barton’s radiant smile.”
Archibald Prize and Its Legacy
The Archibald Prize, established over a century ago, continues to be a benchmark for excellence in portraiture, awarded to the best portrait of a person distinguished in art, letters, science, or politics by an Australian resident. This year’s main prize was awarded to Julie Fragar for her portrait of fellow artist Justene Williams.
In addition to the People’s Choice Award, the Archibald Prize includes the Packing Room Prize, won by Abdul Abdullah for his portrait of artist Jason Phu, and the Wynne and Sulman Prizes, awarded for landscape painting and genre, subject, and mural painting, respectively. This year, Jude Rae won the Wynne Prize for her painting Pre-dawn Sky over Port Botany Container Terminal, while Gene A’Hern took the Sulman Prize for Sky Painting.
By the Numbers: A record 2,394 entries were received across the Archibald, Wynne, and Sulman prizes this year, with more than 70% of finalists being female artists.
Looking Ahead
All finalists in the Archibald, Wynne, and Sulman prizes will be exhibited at AGNSW until August 17. Following this, the Archibald finalists will tour to various locations, including Geelong, Gosford, Muswellbrook, Mudgee, Shoalhaven, and Coffs Harbour, later this year and into 2026.
Spirovski’s win not only highlights her personal triumph but also underscores the evolving landscape of Australian art, where diverse voices and innovative techniques continue to shape the narrative. As the Archibald Prize looks towards its future, it remains a vital platform for artistic expression and cultural dialogue.
