Archibald prize 2026: Jacob Collins portrait wins the Packing Room prize as finalists revealed

Painting by self-taught artist was chosen by Art Gallery of NSW staff who hang finalists for exhibition, ahead of main prize announcement on 8 May

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A portrait of actor Jacob Collins by Sean Layh has won the favour of Art Gallery of NSW staff, who awarded it the Packing Room prize on Thursday, ahead of the Archibald prize’s main announcement on 8 May.

Layh, a self-taught painter, said winning the prize for his work – an oil painting titled Tragical Historie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark – was “one of the great honours of my professional life”.