Archies Buzz – Kelly-Anne Love’s Portrait for the AGNSW 2026 Archibald Prize

There is something incredibly special about witnessing an artwork at the very beginning of its Archibald Prize journey – before the judging, before the crowds, and before the headlines. At KAB Gallery Terrigal we recently had the privilege of doing exactly that with Kelly-Anne Love’s 2026 Archibald Prize entry.

Last month our Terrigal gallery transformed into a moment of theatre and anticipation as we hosted an intimate portrait reveal event for a select group of VIP art collectors and our artists. Also in attendance was the Archibald Prize entry’s subject, Shaun Anthony Robinson. The atmosphere of the event was electric and you could feel the excitement while people waited for the reveal. A red curtain concealed the work, and as it was drawn back the painting was revealed for the very first time to its sitter and the assembled crowd. It was one of those rare occasions where I could feel the significance of the moment, not just for the artist and the painting’s subject but for everyone present.

Titled HAVING A CRACK, the work is a large-scale portrait measuring 185 x 123 cm. Created using watercolour, ink and chroma key green HD video screen paint, the piece is both technically impressive and thoughtfully layered with ideas. Kelly-Anne continues to push the boundaries of her art practice, and this work is a confident extension of her evolving visual style and language. 

Known for her distinctive approach to watercolour, Kelly-Anne Love brings an unexpected strength and intensity to a medium often associated with delicacy. Here, she pushes it further, introducing contemporary materials and ideas that speak to both portraiture tradition and modern image-making. Her inclusion of chroma key green nods to digital culture, the subjects performance and his professional acting identity. The work is interactive and offers art collectors something far more considered than a conventional portrait. There is even a hidden QR code within the piece which links viewers to more information about the sitter. 

Today marked another milestone in the life of the artwork. It was delivery day at the Art Gallery of New South Wales for judging of the 2026 Archibald Prize. Kelly-Anne described a palpable buzz on arrival, a shared sense of anticipation that always surrounds this iconic Australian art prize. In an exciting moment she was also selected for an on-the-spot interview at the official AGNSW media station, a clear indication that her work has already captured attention amongst this year’s entrants. 

For me, it is incredibly rewarding to support KAB Gallery artists not only within the gallery walls, but as they step onto the national stage. Moments like these are a reminder of the depth of talent within the KAB Gallery stable and the importance of backing artists as they pursue opportunities at the highest level.

I look forward to following Kelly-Anne Love’s journey in this year’s Archibald Prize and sharing updates with our collectors as the exhibition unfolds. For those who were part of the reveal event, thank you and I’m sure it was a moment you will remember. And for those who are yet to experience the work, this is certainly an artist and a painting to be seen!  

About the author

Kerry-Anne Blanket

Director & Curator - KAB Gallery

KAB Gallery’s Kerry-Anne Blanket holds a Bachelor of Visual Arts and two Masters degrees (Hons) from the University of Sydney. With an extensive career in art education along with the management of museums and investment art galleries, Kerry-Anne can offer premier art consulting to her clients and source specially requested works. 

She has a keen eye for detail, comprehensive art market knowledge and a love of all things beautiful. Kerry-Anne works directly with artists and collectors alike to curate interesting and eclectic exhibitions.