Artist Wins Record-Voted Archibald People’s Choice with Finger-Painted Portrait

Loribelle Spirovski won the 2025 Archibald Prize People's Choice Award for her portrait of Aboriginal Australian musician William Barton, painted entirely with her fingers due to a nerve injury that made traditional brush painting difficult and painful. Inspired by Barton's music, particularly his composition "Birdsong at Dusk," Spirovski set aside her brush and used finger painting, which she described as almost painless and revitalizing. The portrait honors Barton, a Kalkadunga man and yidaki virtuoso whose work has reshaped the perception of the Indigenous instrument in classical and contemporary music. Spirovski, a four-time Archibald finalist, expressed deep gratitude to Barton and the public for their response, calling the experience a beautiful reprieve after difficult years. The award, based on a record 40,842 public votes, includes a $5,000 prize sponsored by ANZ. Art Gallery of NSW director Maud Paige praised the portrait for its expressive strokes and Barton's radiant smile, which captivated exhibition visitors.