For more than 50 years, National Works on Paper has championed artistic excellence and innovation, celebrating the endless creative possibilities of paper. Recognised as one of Australia’s most prestigious art awards and exhibitions, the biennial event has a proud legacy of discovering, supporting and showcasing outstanding contemporary artists from around the country.
The 2026 exhibition brings together 68 finalists selected from 935 artist submissions, showcasing works by established and emerging practitioners spanning drawing, printmaking, collage, sculpture and innovative paper-based practices.
The 2026 finalists were selected by an esteemed judging panel comprising Anne Ryan, Curator of Australian Art at the Art Gallery of New South Wales; Teho Ropeyarn, artist and 2022 National Works on Paper finalist; Raymond Arnold, artist and 2018 National Works on Paper finalist; and Rebecca Owens, Curatorial Lead at Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery.
Winners will be announced at the launch event Friday 4 September.
2026 Finalists:
Samara ADAMSON-PINCZEWSKI, Daniel AGDAG, Kim ANDERSON, Caleb ARCIFA, Lyn ASHBY, Karike ASHWORTH, Lorraine BIGGS, Emma BINGHAM, Katrina BODEY, Kieran BOLAND, Jack BUCKLEY, Jon CAMPBELL, Jon CATTAPAN, Joshua CHARADIA, Jacky CHENG, Matthew CLARKE, Renato COLANGELO, Sal COOPER, Lesley DUXBURY, Sarah DUYSHART, Nathanael EDWARDS, Louise FORTHUN, Belinda FOX, Grace GLADDISH, Liberté GRACE, Robert HAGUE, Kyoko HASHIMOTO, Euan HENG, Kyoko IMAZU, Eamonn JACKSON, Winsome JOBLING, Locust JONES, Solomon KAMMER, Martin KING, Margie KRISTOFICH, Jenna LEE, Adam LEE, Jade LEES-PAVEY, Francis MACINDOE, Sara MAHER, Dennis McCART, Lisa MICHL, Tony MIGHELL, Jennifer MILLS & Darcy LUKER, Daphne MOHAJER VA PESARAN, Kent MORRIS, Munuy’nu MARIKA, Marrnyula MUNUŊGURR, Wanapa MUNUŊGURR, Jenny NOONE, Jordan O’CONNOR, Julie POULSEN, Ryan PRESLEY, Isobel RAYSON, Alethea RICHTER, Brian ROBINSON, r e a, Kurt SCHRANZER, Sandra SELIG, Sarah THORNTON-SMITH, Zoë VENESS, Lois WATERS, Lydia WEGNER, Rosie WEISS, Paul WHITE, Jo WILLIAMS, Neil WILLIAMS, Jud WIMHURST
Image credit: Jacky Cheng, …that awaits at the end of life, 2022, Kozo papers, joss papers, organic fibres, natural and synthetic paper fibres, National Works on Paper 2024 install, photo: Kinfolk Imagery
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