SAM Talks: Beyond the Portrait – Meet the Archibald Prize 2026 Finalists
17 October - 18 October
SAM Talks: Beyond the Portrait – Meet the Archibald Prize 2026 Finalists
Join us for Beyond the Portrait: Meet the Archibald Finalists, a special two-day program bringing audiences face-to-face with four Victorian artists featured in the Archibald Prize 2026.
Across Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 October, artists Sean Layh, Natasha Bieniek, Juan Ford and Peter Wegner will each present an illustrated lecture exploring their broader artistic practice, their journey to the Archibald Prize, and the ideas, relationships and creative processes behind their finalist work.
Each artist talk will be paired with an informal meet-and-greet in the exhibition space, giving visitors the opportunity to connect directly with the artist alongside their work and continue the conversation in the gallery.
Saturday 17 October
Sean Layh (The tragicall historie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke)
10am–11am — Illustrated Lecture (free)
11.30am–12pm — Gallery Meet & Greet (exhibition ticket required)
Natasha Bieniek (Self-portrait)
1pm–1.30pm — Gallery Meet & Greet (exhibition ticket required)
2pm–3pm — Illustrated Lecture (free)
Sunday 18 October
Juan Ford (Portrait of Chloé Hayden)
10am–11am — Illustrated Lecture (free)
11.30am–12pm — Gallery Meet & Greet (exhibition ticket required)
Peter Wegner (Kindred spirit – Elisabeth Cummings)
1pm–1.30pm — Gallery Meet & Greet (exhibition ticket required)
2pm–3pm — Illustrated Lecture (free)
Registration to all talks is free. However, attendees wishing to view the Archibald Prize exhibition either before or after the talks/to attend the meet-and-greet will still need to purchase a ticket to enter the exhibition: