Archibald Prize Finalist 2026
Artist: Vicki Sullivan (VIC)
Artwork: Painting
Title: 'Pomegranates with Blue and White Persian Vase'
Year: 2025
Medium: Oil on Linen
Framing:
Dimensions: H= 50.5cm x W= 60m (Canvas) / H= cm x W= cm (Framed)
Artist Statement:
I’ve been painting pomegranates lately, drawn to their rich, warm reds and sculptural forms. There’s something magical about the moment they begin to crack open—like a signal from nature that they’re ready to eat. Inside, the fruit reveals a hidden world of small, jewel-like arils that glisten like rubies, each one a tiny treasure. Their clustered gleam is both sensual and sacred, reminding me of ancient symbols and abundance. Capturing that moment in paint—when the outer skin yields and the inner beauty spills forth—is a joy. I paired them with my favourite blue and white vase, loving the contrast of deep reds against cool porcelain. It’s a meditative process, almost like unearthing hidden riches, one brushstroke at a time.
"I am often inspired by people, nature and textiles. I have always been drawn to realist paintings, Old Masters and especially the 19th Century painters."
"As a tonal painter trained in Florence at the Angel Academy of Art and also in the Meldrum Method, {based originally on the method of Velazquez}, I use tonality to create form.
I enjoy using Chiarascuro as a way to bring drama to my work and I also employ many layers of paint to make my colours rich and glowing as if from the inside.
Living in Australia, where the light seems to be different to the rest of the world, I am surrounded by strong rich colours. I am influenced by the ocean, wildlife and a wide variety of coloured flowers and birds. This beautiful natural habitat reflects into my work in a subtle way."
CV for Australian Artist, Vicki Sullivan (ARC Living Master)
Vicki Sullivan (Archibald Prize Finalist 2026) exhibition at Curate Art & Design
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