[Sydney] Abdul Abdullah awarded Packing Room Prize 2025 for portrait of artist Jason Phu
Abdul Abdullah has been named the winner of the 2025 Packing Room Prize at the Art Gallery of New South Wales 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.
Abdullah’s portrait, titled No mountain high enough - Photo supplied
Now in its 34th year, the Packing Room Prize, valued at $3000, is awarded to the best entry in the Archibald Prize as judged by the Art Gallery staff who receive, unpack and hang the entries.
Alexis Wildman, senior installation officer and member of the Art Gallery’s Packing Room team, says: ‘We were instantly drawn to Abdul Abdullah’s portrait of Jason Phu. 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,’ said Wildman.
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 he was excited to win the 2025 Packing Room Prize.
‘It is always an honour to be selected as a finalist for the Archibald Prize, and I am especially honoured to be picked for 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. I am so glad they picked this one. It’s kind of like an artists’ pick, and I’m extra happy for that,’ said Abdullah.
‘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.’
The Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes 2025 exhibition and the Young Archie 2025 competition are generously supported by presenting partner ANZ.
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.
Following the exhibition at the Art Gallery, Archibald Prize 2025 finalist works will tour to six venues across New South Wales and Victoria, offering audiences outside Sydney the opportunity to see the finalist portraits up close and personal.
Wynne Prize 2025 finalist works will tour to four venues in regional New South Wales. The Wynne Prize regional tour is proudly supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW’s Blockbusters Funding initiative.
To explore the full list of finalists, find out more about this year’s exhibition and purchase tickets, visit the Art Gallery’s website.
- Packing Room Prize 2025 winning portrait
- Explore all Archibald Prize 2025 finalists
- Explore all Wynne Prize 2025 finalists
- Explore all Sulman Prize 2025 finalists
- Explore all Young Archie 2025 finalists and honourable mentions
Event Details:
Dates: 10th May to 17th August 2025 10am to 5pm
Times:
Open daily 10am – 5pm
Until 10pm WednesdaysLocation: Art Gallery of NSW
Notes: Free for children under 12 and companion card holders
Booked school groups - $8 student2-for1 ticket offer - For Wednesdays, 5–10pm
Members can access free and discounted tickets