We acknowledge the Gadigal, the traditional custodians of the Country on which the Art Gallery of New South Wales stands.

Sir John Sulman Prize

Two people sit in an art gallery and view three large paintings on a wall

Visitors to Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes 2025 with paintings by (left to right) Amber Wallis, Regina Pilawuk Wilson and Jasmine Mowbray © the artists

The Sulman Prize is awarded for the best subject painting, genre painting or mural project by an Australian artist.

A genre painting is normally a composition representing some aspect or aspects of everyday life, and may feature figurative, still-life, interior or figure-in-landscape themes.

A subject painting, in contrast, is idealised or dramatised. Typically, a subject painting takes its theme from history, poetry, mythology or religion. In both cases, however, the style may be figurative, representative, abstract or semi-abstract.

A mural is a picture fixed directly to a wall or ceiling as part of an architectural and/or decorative scheme.

Established within the terms of Sir John Sulman’s bequest, the prize was first awarded in 1936. Each year the trustees of the Art Gallery of NSW invite a guest artist to judge this open competition. Finalists are displayed in an exhibition at the Gallery (although in the early years all entrants were hung).

A red circle, a skull and various plant and cloud forms on a multi-coloured background.

Explore past Sulman works

All works, including winners, from the prize’s inception to the latest competition.

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