Mitch Cairns

[2] Cairns was born in the Sydney suburb of Camden and grew up in Casula and later Wollongong.

He studied at the National Art School during which time he worked as a labourer for his father, a bricklayer.

[2] In 2017, Cairns won the Archibald Prize for his painting Agatha Gothe-Snape.

"[6] The decision was defended by artist and prize judge Ben Quilty who praised Cairns and the portrait.

[7] Cairns is married to fellow artist Agatha Gothe-Snape with whom he has a son.