There is a Platform Called Archibald

Every year, one of the most anticipated events in the Australian art calendar is the Archibald Prize — a century-old portraiture award that both celebrates and challenges our understanding of who gets seen. Who is selected? Who is overlooked? Are the judging criteria truly inclusive?

This exhibition brings those voices to the forefront. Curated by the influential artist and curator Shen Jiawei, There is a Platform Called Archibald features works by prominent Chinese-Australian artists who have either been finalists in the Archibald or have created works that respond to its legacy. These portraits — some celebrated, others overlooked — offer an invitation to rethink how we define value in portraiture. After all, art is not governed by a single standard.

The works on display explore themes such as the deconstruction of identity, reimagining cultural hybridity, and subtle critiques of systemic bias. These portraits offer rich, complex, and deeply human narratives, encouraging viewers to reconsider the traditional definitions of portraiture and reflect on the diverse stories that make up Australian identity.