Four-time Archibald Prize finalist Loribelle Spirovski has won the 2025 ANZ People’s Choice award for her portrait of William Barton, the celebrated yidaki (didgeridoo) virtuoso and composer.

Created entirely with a finger-painting technique, the portrait captivated visitors to the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes 2025 exhibition at the Art Gallery of New South Wales.

Loribelle Spirovski: Finger painting of William Barton. Image © Art Gallery of New South Wales

The painting honours Barton, a Kalkadunga man whose pioneering work has reshaped how the yidaki is perceived in classical and contemporary music. Spirovski described her win as deeply emotional.

“I am overjoyed that the public have selected my work as the winner of this year’s ANZ People’s Choice award. I am infinitely grateful to William for allowing me to paint him and so humbled by everyone’s responses to the work,” she said. “It has been a difficult few years and this whole experience is the most beautiful reprieve and reward.”

Spirovski met Barton in October last year at a concert where he performed alongside her husband, concert pianist Simon Tedeschi. Struck by Barton’s...