In the quaint, stylish suburb of Sydney’s Woollahra at Art2Muse gallery; known for showcasing rich and dynamic artists, the Pal drinks are flowing, and the glitterati bustling due to an exhibition called WILD CARD: its young, Melbourne based multidisciplinary artist Chris Watts having been announced as a finalist for the 2026 Archibald Prize at the Art Gallery of NSW.
What makes this all the more special is that Watt’s subject, the first AFL player in history to come out as bisexual, Mitch Brown, is appearing too, having agreed to sit for Watts, after declining numerous offers before.
‘I like Chris’s safe storytelling and style ,’ says Brown. ‘It’s big and colourful and a bit unexpected, and that felt right. There’s this energy to his work that is so exciting. He captures your attention, but with care and softness. That duality felt really special.’
Exploring the sea of portraits, it’s clear Watt’s work is inspired by the Pop Art movement and Andy Warhol; every painting an acrylic on canvas, fusing glamour, graphic design and cinematic mood, delivering vibrant statements on themes of fashion, confidence, style and attitude. The duality of his work also evident in both craftsmanship and creative exploration; something he achieved with incredible precision in his portrait of Brown.
‘I also like the way Chris pays attention to the small things like the way I hold myself’, adds Brown. Another guest mentioned how impressed Brown was with the way Chris perfectly painted his profile. ‘The earring, the look in my eyes, which is where the vulnerability comes through, captures parts of me that I don’t always see, with a softness or vulnerability. I feel seen and represented.’
Which is why Watts says he chose to paint Brown, especially due to the impact and ripple effect Brown’s ‘coming out’ has had across Australia.
‘In the AFL’s 129-year history, he became the first male player to publicly come out as bisexual, against the backdrop of a sport where homophobia is still rife, and where homophobic slurs are still heard in the stands. Mitch’s vulnerability in sharing his story was a pivotal step for queer visibility in both the AFL and Australian men’s sport.’
And how does it feel to be recognised as an Archibald Prize finalist? Not only does it mean that his work will always be considered from here on, but he says it has been overwhelming.
‘I actually couldn’t sleep last night. To be recognised by the Art Gallery of New South Wales is a massive honour.’
Choosing Brown to paint did indeed prove to be a wild card, and one that caught the eye of the Archibald judges; rumour has it, said one guest, that he was in the top five finalists.
But while talking to the guests about his choice of subject and his painting style, when asked about his favourite painting in the exhibition, he says the one behind him, called ‘Maria’; a vibrant, colourful portrait of a woman with a headscarf, glasses and the poignancy of a flower, who just happens to be his grandmother.
‘She was so glamorous and I wanted to honor that’.
*Watts’ portrait of former AFL player Mitch Brown will be exhibited as part of the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes 2026 from Saturday 9 May to Sunday 16 August 2026.
* Watts’ Sydney solo exhibition WILD CARD will be at Art2Muse Gallery from 5 to 18 May
Reviewed by: Georgia