The Finalists
Returning for its 29th year, Australia’s premier satirical art prize has attracted one of its largest field of entries, with 48 portraits vying for the 2025 Bald Archy Prize.
Check out the finalists for 2025 below. Click on the pictures for more information about the artwork, or to submit an Expression of Interest to purchase the artwork.
2025 Bald Archy Prize Finalists
Fox Hunt
Artist: Alan Rose
Jessica Fox chased by English fox hunters and hounds in the Paris Olympics Kayaking, 2024.
Garden God
Artist: Alice Beasley
This mixed media collage, meticulously assembled from Garden Australia magazines, elevates Costa Georgiadis to a divine figure. Costa, the charismatic host of Gardening Australia, is depicted with an impressive flower crown, reminiscent of Frida Kahlo, exuding a god-like presence.
Encircled by vibrant flowers, clucking chickens, an abundance of vegetables and fruits, and fluttering butterflies, the artwork celebrates Costa's boundless passion for gardening.
The Planter Box
Artist: Alice Beasley
On 7 February 2024, sometime after dinner, the infamous incident of Barnaby Joyce taking a tumble off a planter box in Lonsdale Street Canberra occurred.
This artwork depicts the moment that Barnaby exits the frame, leaving behind The Planter Box that suddenly found itself thrust into the limelight.
The frame is adorned with depictions of the medication and alcohol that allegedly led to the mishap. The Planter Box, now the unexpected star of the show, stands proudly in the centre basking in its newfound frame, whilst Barnaby continues with his phone call.
A Chip off the Old Croc
Artist: Brad Blaze
The artwork pays tribute to young Robert Irwin. In the same pose his late father held the croc. Robert has a big future in showbiz and presenting with his blue blazer and blow-up croc.
He sure has a bright future ahead following in his dad's legacy of wildlife conservation and just being a great human.
Skip to the Loo
Artist: Bronwyn Berg
When worlds collide between contemporary and traditional you're breaking bad in a carnival of dreams.
Heircut
Artist: Cecilia Smith
I've reimagined Indigenous Senator Lidia Thorpe as a gleeful salon stylist in the act of giving a certain 'royal' figure a trim - 'Lidia's Style'! This, of course, refers to Lidia's response to Charlie's visit - a very gutsy act.
Fury Road
Artist: Chris Roe
While watching 2024's underrated 'Mad Max: Furiosa' I was struck by Peter Dutton's resemblance to the white skinned, bald-headed War Boys doing battle over fossil fuel on the Fury Road.
I began to imagine him as an apocalyptic marauder against the backdrop of nuclear power stations, climate change and jingoistic division and a shirtless culture warrior took shape.
Special Skills
Artist: Cynthia Mortyn
Ray Gun is a cultural icon after her olympic performance. I wanted to depict her with other iconic Australian symbols and suggest how she may have created her iconic moves
Sandilands Down
Artist: Jack Kennedy
The southward march of the invasive and highly toxic Kyle Toad 'n Spawn (AKA 'Boofhead Marinus') from Queensland, is halted by the march of a thousand of blundstones (left of painting). Which species will prevail? Only renowned naturalist David Coleman knows for sure.
It's a Chin-Win Situation!
Artist: James Brennan
My artwork is of Nathan Cleary, the co-captain and half-back of the NRL team the Penrith Panthers. He's an ice-cool, top of his game, immortal-in-waiting, re-writing the history books by leading the Panthers to a record breaking fourth consecutive premiership win and cementing their reputation as one of the greatest teams of all time.
I've depicted him here after last year's Grand Final victory, proudly holding the Provan-Summons trophy, four premiership rings on his hand, prominent jaw jutting out like the statue of a Roman general who has just conquered the world and is overlooking his empire.
Choose Only One Master - Nature
Artist: Jean Kent
Costa Georgiadis can be seen hosting the ABC's popular Gardening Australia programme which has been providing advice and inspiration to Aussie gardeners since 1990!
Costa is a positive and cheerful host , promoting gardens and green spaces which research shows are associated with better physical, social and mental health. Costa and crew entertain, inspire, promote sustainability, provide practical and trustworthy advice that engages, informs and inspires audiences, and demonstrates what can be achieved at any skill level. They foster fitness via gardening, encouraging socail connections, as well as promoting the enjoyment and beauty of nature and wildlife.
A win for all!
Let's Doo the Kangaroo
Artist: Jillian Soini
The artwork represents the infamous 'Kangaroo' breakdance move by Raygun during the Paris Olympics in 2024.
Miss Congeniality
Artist: Joanne (Jojo) Skillington
To the Vegemite Tune:
I'm a happy little magnate,
as bright in pink can be,
I wear my pretty little frock to every Trump partee.
The National Portrait Gallery were told what they must do,
and as I'm such a sporty lass,
a netball team or two.
'cos I love my dusty drills,
my lovely iron-one hills,
that put a rose in both my cheeks.
Vincent's Polly
Artist: John Skillington
Her contentious confounding of one nation with First Nation makes her ideal material for Vincent's sardonic brush.
Poster Girl
Artist: Judy Nadin
Beccy Cole is Australian Country Royalty and the host of ABC Radio's Saturday Night Country. With a career spanning over 30 years, Beccy dazzles crowds with her songs, dynamic performance, comedy, and of course that mega watt smile.
2025 is the 20th anniversary of Beccy's chart topping song "Poster Girl". In 2005 Beccy performed for the troops in what she describes as a life changing experience. Poster Girl is about supporting the troops, not the war.
Beccy will always be Australian Country Music's Poster Girl.
Wild God
Artist: Judy Nadin
Nick Cave is an Australian singer songwriter, actor, novellist and screenwriter. Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds have received 2 x 2025 Grammy nominations for their album Wild God.
I wanted to paint Nick to honour this achievement, but mainly because he's got the moodiest, most interesting face a caricaturist could dream of.
Heads You Lose
Artist: Kez Thompson
The portrait of Gina Hancock was a personal response to her attempt to have a caricature removed from public display. I thought to represent the back of her head as a statement to show the silliness of vanity, hence the balding patch.
After reading about Mr Albanese and Mr Dutton travelling across the country to spend a short period of obeisance with her, it was obvious they had no interest in representing me or anyone outside of 'The Qantas Chairman's Lounge', leaving us, the proletariat, with no genuine power or representation.
In a moment of enlightened realisation, impotent powerlessness can be quite a motivator for the creative juices. I painted the other two portraits as part of an unholy trinity of power for the few.
Gina's Golden Girls
Artist: Lesley Fitzpatrick
This work wrangles with the conundrum of sponsorship in sport.
Gina Rinehart, sponsor of the Australian Olympic Swimming Team, reclines on a blow-up boxing kangaroo in a Paris pool, sipping a celebratory cocktail and wearing the six gold medals won by the women's team. Team members, who did the hard work and won the medals, look on with dismay, realising that Gina's payday leaves theirs in the shade. All wear gold Rossi boots made in Gina's factory (move over R.M. Williams) - the required attire to attend Gina's celebratory soiree on the Seine with a media photo opportunity. Meanwhile, Rachel Gunn (RayGun) dances out her regret about being sponsor-less and having to waste important training time on her day job in academia.
Succession
Artist: Lesley Fitzpatrick
The dead Queen hovers over Charles' coronation but it's unclear whether she is giving us a last royal wave, blessing him, or about to clock him on the head. Charles' throne is shored up by the bones of the colonised, jars of organic jams and preserves from Highgrove Estate (his successful side hustle which Meghan is copying with her American Riviera Orchard) and some of Camilla's used tampons. (Audience participation task: Find the seventh tampon.)
Meanwhile, as befitting this solemn and momentous event, an Australian Indigenous man performs a smoking ceremony while meditating on the legacy of the Crown and our nation's past and future.
Head First
Artist: Mark Bernard
This whimsical art piece captures Australian cricketer Travis Head's iconic hand gestures, famously performed during India's 2024 tour, but with a surreal twist. Instead of using his index finger, Travis's own head is playfully substituted, amplifying his characteristic confidence!
15 Minutes of Fame
Artist: Mark Tippett
Paul Barry, a familiar face to ABC viewers, is widely regarded as one of Australia's most respected journalists, boasting two Walkleys and a Logie.
Best known as the host of Aunty's Media Watch, a 15-minute weekly program critiquing media mishaps and controversies, Barry first took the helm in 2000. His initial tenure ended after a contentious interview with then-ABC Chairman Donald McDonald. Barry returned briefly in 2010 before becoming permanent host. After 11-and-a-half years, Barry stepped down in December 2024, marking the end of an era for the big budgeted Media Watch.
So much ado for a show that runs just 15 minutes each week.
Here's Lidia! (The Thorping)
Artist: Mark Tippett
Australia senator Lidia Thorpe, much like Jack Nicholson's character Jack Torrance in The Shining, bursts onto the scene with an intensity that captivates and disrupts. Just as Torrance's "Here's Johnny!" moment broke through the norm, Thorpe's fiery rhetoric and dramatic outbursts frequently upend parliamentary proceedings.
As an independent senator for Victoria, she champions Indigenous sovereignty and systemic change, sparking strong emotional responses. Her bold actions and confrontational style have often drawn criticism. Whether clashing with colleagues or commanding headlines, Thorpe's tumultuous tornado-like presence ensures she stays firmly in the spotlight.
Here's to three more years of the inimitable Lidia Thorpe.
Spud Gun
Artist: Marty Steel
"Don't be afraid to be different, go out there and represent yourself, and soon you'll be Prime Minister."
No-Sferatu
Artist: Matt Bissett-Johnson
Peter Dutton as a vampire, holding a three eyed fish with nuclear reactors in the background.
An experiment in tone of likeness.
The Benny-Factor (Speak Softly and Carry a Big Stick)
Artist: Michael Breen
Incoming South Sydney NRL coach Wayne Bennett flew into the harbour city at the end of the 2024 season to address the club's incumbent players.
Bennett reportedly delivered a blistering appraisal of the under-performing squad's collective effort across the home and away rounds.
Offering a frank assessment of their indifferent attitude and poor fitness, the returning South's coach stung bloated egos with an informed view that rival players no longer feared them!
As the stink of off-field scandal continues to cloud the air around the foundation club, keeping a spot on the roster may depend on keeping a clean nose.
Our Nero
Artist: Michael Graham
Since being elected, Albo's critics have called him an egotistical, self indulgent hypocrite and weak leader.
His failure to condemn terrorists and to deal with antisemitism in Australia shows the measure of the man. In his day, Nero was seen as a corrupt self indulgent ineffectual leader and was seen by the people of the day as the antichrist.
This painting depicts Albo 'the emporer' playing his fiddle whilst (Parliament) everything around him burns. The burning Parliament and flames represents Albo's economic and legislative failures.
The Activist Gnome - Watt Do You Stand For Murray
Artist: Michael Graham
The socialist left and their anti-authoritarian ideology are finally impacting our country for the worse, Brian washed activist students becoming elected parliamentarians, union bosses, climate warrior and media personalities pushing a woke agenda and an anti-Semitic cause. There is no shortage of useful idiots. Raising the Indigenous flag together with the Palestinian flag can only do harm to our Indigenous peoples. Shaitan's influence is on the rise in our world.
This painting depicts Murray Watt as an activist gnome using the Australian flag as a mat, whilst Shaitan (the rat) whispers in his ear.
Beast of a Burden
Artist: Michael Mack
Michele Bullock has the inevitable burden of navigating the Reserve Bank cart through turbulent times. With the ever-present dark clouds of recession, the prospect of slipping and tipping things up, she must struggle to drag the RBA through the mire of the Australian economy. Can she get the balance right and pull through?
Visions of Fissions
Artist: Michael Mack
Once upon a time a politician, who had a few electrons loose in the atoms, decided to transcend the fanciful with his dreams and apparitions. He saw the light, it was green, and it looked good. With visons of fissions, a venture to Neverland with Peter, in a flight of fancy, off with the fairies. Where Tinkerbell can spray some radioactive dust and cast her spell. Turn his delusion into illusion, and for a politician that is a basis for policy. A NU-clear policy, that is at best, UN-clear.
A Will is the Way
Artist: Michelle Commandeur
Helen Tudor Fisk: A Will is the Way
A caricature that captures Kitty Flanagan's deadpan delivery as Helen Tudor-Fisk. No time for nonsense, with hair almost as iconic as her wit.
Goldfingers
Artist: Phil Henderson
The cause of Nathan Cleary's debilitating shoulder problems can be directly linked to the absurd amount of gold he now wears. A fifth straight NRL Premiership could lead to a gold bullion shortage…
Despicable Ploy
Artist: Phil Meatchem
Dutton is a scary looking character… combine that with "nuclear" and it all starts looking "despicable"
Alexa's Anthem
Artist: Sharon O'Neill
Alexa's Anthem celebrates the spirit of Alex Leary, showcasing her resilience, determination, and strength through the infectious joy of her victory dance.
Alexa's story is one of grit and glitter: a young athlete who overcame a life-altering set back to achieve glory at the 2024 Paris Paralympics. In a playful nod to Kylie's iconic white ensemble, Alexa sings and dances to "Can't Get You Outta My Head", celebrating her triumph.
With her gold medal in hand, she radiates strength, love and an infectious zest for life - a moment of pure happiness that captured the heart of our nation.
Bloody Marvelous
Artist: Simon Schneider
'Bloody Marvelous'
Starring our very own Hugh Jackman, Deadpool and Wolverine is the highest grossing R-rated movie of all time.
Jackman evidently still in his prime and in tremendous shape, shows us he can still kick ass!
The Iceman Cometh
Artist: Steve Keast
Captain of the Penrith Panthers, Cleary has led his team to four straight grand final wins. Always calm under pressure which has earnt him the nickname "Iceman".
Hard Won
Artist: Steve Pearce
Tom Gleeson: There he goes!
What's worse than being a mug on Hard Quiz?
Being a Logie in a Hard Quiz Mug.
However, Tom is no mug when it comes to winning a Logie. The backdrop is simple, his tie is straight and the grin is cheeky but - can he win the Hardest Prize: a Bald Archy?
We know his ego is big enough, but what about his mug?
Saint Madison Aussie Flyer
Artist: Tricia Reust
Saint Madison Aussie Flyer (Madison de Rozario)
St Madison in her wheelchair
-the breeze e'en left behind-
sets her sights on races
and marathons worldwide
Beloved and much respected;
the favourite does she poll.
They've even made of Madison
a sporty Barbie Doll.
Behind that beatific smile
a tigress lurks with claws.
"Justice for disabled
and fair treatment" out she roars!
A fierce and fiery champion
proudly green and gold;
may all Australians be like her
strong and brave and bold.
- Tricia Reust
