Jacqueline Hennessy won the award for her portrait of fellow artist Eliza Gosse
Holding Redlich has awarded the 2026 Salon des Refusés People’s Choice Award to former lawyer Jacqueline Hennessy for her oil on linen portrait Eliza.
The portrait depicts artist Eliza Gosse, who Hennessy met at the National Art School while both were students.
“This portrait, rendered in a restrained sepia palette, draws on the language of photography while quietly unsettling its claim to fully capture the subject. The figure emerges through thin layers of raw umber, at once precise and dissolving. Gosse’s gaze too slips beyond the viewer, withholding direct exchange. What remains is a partial presence – felt, but never fully secured”, Hennessy said.
According to Holding Redlich, the portrait displayed Hennessy’s “distinctive figurative style, which moves between photographic realism and spiritualist romanticism”.
“The People’s Choice Award reflects the strong connection visitors have formed with Eliza throughout the exhibition”, said Darren Pereira, Holding Redlich’s NSW managing partner. “For 28 years, Holding Redlich has proudly supported Salon des Refusés and the People’s Choice Award, celebrating the exceptional talent and creativity of Australian artists. Through our long-standing partnership with the National Trust’s S.H. Ervin Gallery, we are pleased to continue recognising artists whose work inspires audiences across Australia”.
Hennessy nabbed the award on its 28th year. She has exhibited her work at Salon des Refusés in 2023 and 2025 as well.
In 2019, Hennessy received the first-ever Tweed Regional Gallery – National Art School MFA Residency Award. She obtained her bachelor and master of fine art (painting) from the National Art School in Sydney.
She also holds a bachelor of arts in psychology (honours) from the University of Sydney. She initially pursued law studies, securing a bachelor of law (honours) from the University of Newcastle in 2000.
The People’s Choice Award winner is determined by votes from visitors to the 2026 Salon des Refusés: The alternative Archibald & Wynne Prize selection exhibition. The exhibition was established in 1992 to display works not selected for the Archibald or Wynne Prizes and is held at Sydney’s S.H. Ervin Gallery every year.
Last year, Mary Tonkin won the People’s Choice Award for Turmoil, Kalorama. In 2024, Noel Thurgate received the accolade for his portrait of artist Ann Thomson.
