Australia’s premier satirical art prize is celebrating its 29th year and will soon make a stop in Griffith. This year’s Bald Archy Prize has drawn one of its largest fields yet, with 48 portraits vying for the 2025 title.

The exhibition will open at the Griffith Regional Art Gallery on Friday March 28, at 6pm, with all welcome to attend.

The artworks will be on display until Sunday April 27.

The Bald Archy Prize was created by the late Peter Batey OAM.

Following his death in 2019, administration of the Bald Archy Prize was handed over to the Museum of the Riverina in Wagga Wagga.

The prize provides artists of all styles and standards with an opportunity to create portrait paintings of humour, dark satire, light comedy, or caricature.

The collection of paintings encapsulates the irreverent, larrikin Australian spirit in a way that appeals to people from all walks of life, it is now internationally known and has been exhibited across Australia.

Past winning subjects have included Kerry Packer, Shane Warne, John Howard, Pauline Hanson and other Australian icons.

“The Bald Archy Prize standard of entries is the highest it has ever seen, and the artists have undoubtedly continued to embrace the concept of celebrating the larrikin Australian spirit into art," Ray Wholohan, Coordinator at Griffith Regional Art Gallery said.

"There are plenty of famous Australians, politicians, and 2024 celebrities who get a brush with the art of parody and satire, such as Raygun, Hugh Jackman, Nathan Cleary, Peter Dutton, Senator Lidia Thorpe, and Costa Georgiadis.”

“The name of course is a satirical nod to Australia’s most famous portrait prize – The Archibald Prize. The Bald Archies poke a bit of fun at the art establishment – from its beginning, the public have embraced it, and this year’s collection will not disappoint.”