Nine inmates on death row banned from entering Archibald Prize 'because he hasn't lived in Australia since 2005'

Convicted Bali 9 heroin smuggler Myuran Sukumaran has entered a self-portrait for consideration for the Archibald Prize from his jail cell in Bali - but his painting won't be considered because he's been locked up abroad.

The Archibald Prize is awarded annually to the best portrait, 'preferentially of some man or woman distinguished in art, letters, science or politics, painted by any artist resident in Australasia’.

This open competition is judged by the trustees of the Art Gallery of NSW. Finalists are displayed in an exhibition at the Gallery (although in the early years all entrants were hung). Although it is a non-acquisitive prize, several of the entries are now part of the Gallery’s collection.

The Archibald Prize was first awarded in 1921.

Sukumaran had hoped to compete for the prestigious art prize, that includes $75,000 in cash, and this week flew a self-portrait of himself to the Art Gallery of NSW for consideration.

Sydney man Sukumaran has turned to art while serving a death row sentence in Bali. He is currently waiting to find out if he will face execution after a clemency plea was lodged in 2012.

However, the competition rules mean Sukumaran's painting can not be considered, the gallery confirmed to MailOnline.

The rules state that the artist must have been 'resident in Australasia during the 12 months preceding the date fixed by the Trustees for sending in the pictures'.

The 33-year-old has been on death row in Indonesia now since 2005 and turned to art in 2010.