The prize, part of the Archibald Prize event, was won by Abdul Abdullah for his portrait of fellow artist and friend Jason Phu.
Abdullah’s portrait, titled No mountain high enough, marks his seventh time as an Archibald finalist and was selected from 57 finalists in the Archibald Prize, Australia’s most prestigious art award.
The Packing Room Prize is valued at $3000. Now in its 34th year, it’s awarded to the best entry in the Archibald Prize as judged by the Art Gallery staff who receive, unpack and hang the entries.
“We were instantly drawn to Abdul Abdullah’s portrait of Jason Phu,” says Alexis Wildman, senior installation officer and member of the Art Gallery’s Packing Room team.
“Both are accomplished artists whose works have a distinct style and engage with complex social and cultural themes using wit and cartoonish references.
“The team holds great respect for the way both Abdul and Jason have progressed in their careers.
“On a technical level, this portrait is very well painted. It really captures the essence of the subject with the image of a lone ranger, an intrepid jokester or a quiet hero navigating the rocky terrain of today’s social climate.
“This immediately sparked conversation among the Packing Room team.”
Born in Perth, Abdullah is a multidisciplinary artist now based between Melbourne and Bangkok. A seventh-generation Muslim Australian of Malay, Indonesian and European heritage, his practice often investigates narratives of displacement and the reality of lived experience. He has been a finalist in the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes multiple times.
On receiving the news, Abdullah said it is always an honour to be selected as an Archibald Prize finalist, and he is especially honoured to receive the Packing Room Prize.
“I see it as a sort of community prize, where the Packing Room team, which is made up of professional art handlers – many of whom are artists themselves – get to pick a painting they like,” said Abdullah.
“I am so glad they picked this one. It’s kind of like an artists’ pick, and I’m extra happy for that.
“Jason is my best friend. We talk on the phone every day, he was the best man at my wedding, and we have travelled together.
“I’ve painted him as I see him, as a ceaseless adventurer who at any one time is involved in a dozen conversations on a dozen different platforms, bringing his unique perspective to one flummoxed friend or another.”
Jason Phu is a Sydney-born artist whose practice brings together a wide range of references, including traditional ink paintings, calligraphy, readymade objects, everyday vernacular, ancient folklore, personal narratives and historical events, often imbued with satire and humour.
Phu has also been a previous finalist in the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes, and is himself a finalist in this year’s Archibald Prize for his portrait of actor Hugo Weaving.
In 2025, the Art Gallery received 2394 entries across the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes, the second-highest number of combined entries received in the history of the three prizes and eclipsed only by the 2020 record year, which was delayed due to the pandemic.
The winners of the 2025 Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes will be announced next Friday 9 May at midday. Winners and all finalists will then be exhibited at the Art Gallery of New South Wales from Saturday 10 May to Sunday 17 August 2025.
