The Opening of the Archibald Prize at SAM in Sheppharton  on 3rd September 2026 was wonderful.

What an amazing Art Museum space the new building is.

I had a great time with my fellow Archibald finalists who made it to the opening and managed to get a few photos of the night.

So much of my life as a Portrait Artist is spent alone in my studio and these events and Exhibition openings are a highlight of the job and a way to celebrate all the work that goes on behind the scenes.

 

Vicki Sullivan

Peace actually

Oil on linen

 

My subject is journalist Jan Fran, whose 20-year career has spanned television, documentary, podcasts and comedy. In 2025, she and Antoinette Lattouf co-founded ETTE Media, which aims to get to the real story at a time when misinformation is rife.

 

‘I often listen to podcasts while I paint, &  I came across the We used to be journos podcast, which really struck a chord. Reaching out to Jan, we agreed to meet when she next came to Melbourne.

 

‘We went for a walk in the gardens so we could get to know each other while I took some reference photos. As we discussed the troubling state of the world, Jan flashed a peace sign.

 

‘Initially, I envisaged a garden background, but realising something more was needed, I drew an arch around her head and applied gold leaf, which transformed the painting into a kind of icon.

 

‘The gold leaf reflects anyone passing by, so in a subtle way the viewer becomes part of the painting. This sense of iconography is also a nod to the old masters and my formal training in Italy. For me, the painting represents a hope for peace in the world.’

 

Jan Fran is one of Australia’s most versatile journalists and creators, bridging both traditional and social media.

A Walkley Award–winner, her 20-year media career spans television, documentary, podcasts and comedy. She has hosted the ABC’s Question Everything, as well as Channel 10’s The Project and SBS’s The Feed.

She is also a social commentator, widely known for her sharp video commentary and interviews on social media, which attract millions of views.

Alongside her friend Antoinette Lattouf, Jan co-founded ETTE Media—an independent Australian media company built for a new era, equipping audiences with the tools to question, decode and challenge the noise at a time when misinformation is rife, algorithms distort reality, and trust in mainstream media has never been lower.

While listening to podcasts in the studio, I discovered We Used to Be Journos, hosted by Jan Fran and Antoinette Lattouf. It was then I decided to ask Jan to be my subject for the 2026 Archibald Prize. I admire her championing of free speech and human rights.