03/09/2026
For more than fifty years the National Works on Paper (NWOP) has championed artistic excellence and innovation, celebrating the endless creative possibilities of paper.
Recognised as one of Australia’s leading art awards and exhibitions, the biennial event has a proud legacy of discovering, supporting and showcasing outstanding contemporary artists from across the country.
This year, 932 entries were received with 68 finalists selected from across Australia. Their works span drawing, printmaking, digital prints, paper sculpture and contemporary art practice.
The recipient of the prestigious $20,000 Major Acquisitive Award and $5,000 Emerging Artist Award will be announced at the exhibition launch this Friday 4 September.
NWOP 2026 will be open from Saturday 5 September until Sunday 22 November.
Gallery open Tuesday-Sunday, 11am-4pm
FREE ENTRY
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: Nathanael Edwards, Elephant in the room, 2024, digital photograph (detail)
