SELECTED PORTRAITS

Anna Weston, Judy (2026), oil on canvas, 132.5 × 101.8cm. Photo © Art Gallery of New South Wales

Archibald Prize Finalist 2026

Judy Watson is an artist with Aboriginal matrilineal family from Waanyi Country in north-west Queensland. Her multidisciplinary practice includes printmaking, painting, installation, sculpture, textiles and video. 

‘I am in awe of how Judy’s work incorporates ethereal beauty with hard-hitting themes, including First Nations history,’ says first-time Archibald finalist Anna Weston. ‘I wanted to acknowledge her lifelong commitment to her studio practice and the impact she has made on the art world and broader society.’ 

Based in Madandjin/Meanjin/Brisbane, Weston is an artist and speech pathologist.

‘Judy invited me to her studio for the portrait sitting. We drank tea and ate biscuits while she discussed her life as an artist. She has a grounded, no-nonsense presence and an impressive capacity to hold life’s dualities. 

‘To emphasise Judy’s agency, we agreed the composition should include her strong hands and a standing pose. I felt compelled to convey the light that radiates from Judy herself, as well the light that pours into the studio and illuminates her work.’

Statement from the Art Gallery of NSW website https://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/prizes/archibald/2026/30962/