2026 Awards
Honouring an artist who demonstrates exceptional technical skill or experimentation, this award celebrates innovation in medium, method, or artistic approach. Recognising work that pushes boundaries or redefines traditional techniques, this award acknowledges creativity and craftsmanship.
"I thought how the heck can I do a self-portrait? I’m now registered blind! I did several drawings relying on touch and memory. Your ears can help you work out your eye level and mouth. Using my drawings we constructed channels for my paper quill soldiers to stand in. I remember colour and chose yellow for my hair and blue for my eyes. This took four months to complete; making quills is time consuming. It’s a repetitive, gentle process. I love the result. I like the fact it’s visual but tactile for those of us with sight loss."
This award celebrates the exceptional talent and promise of an emerging artist whose work demonstrates creativity, innovation, and a unique artistic voice. Recognising those in the early stages of their career, the Rising Visionary Award honours an artist whose fresh perspective and skill set them apart as a standout talent, marking them as a future leader in the art world.
"My painting of Temple in the Deep Waters incorporates mythical creatures and natural forms, set on an island of meditation and enchantment. These elements convey themes of harmony and solitude, allowing reflection on the peacefulness of Thai culture. My paintings represent solitude as a space for emotional healing and spiritual growth, creating a balance between the dreamlike and reality, and as a misconception of loneliness, but a pathway to self-discovery. My painting starts with a handmade canvas, depicting architectural forms and elements. I apply modelling paste and paint intricate lines to enhance the texture and create a sense of movement."
This award recognises an artwork that exemplifies environmental sustainability and creativity, celebrating innovative approaches to eco-friendly art practices. Honouring work that uses sustainable materials, highlights environmental issues, or inspires action towards a greener future, The Environmental Impact Award acknowledges the artist’s commitment to both artistic excellence and ecological responsibility.
"The Great Silence refers to the monolithic ambivalence of Western governments toward global crises and the mute paralysis we experience collectively when we doubt our ability to speak out against injustice. It’s easy to slip into decorative mark-making when your visual practice is largely abstract, so it felt imperative to keep my image as stripped-back as possible. The central drawing is a contorted figure - pained, but continuing to resist. Pink is a powerful colour for me, signifying here a spirit of non-conformity and human vitality in opposition to the loveless, colourless world that billionaires insist is our future."
This award celebrates an artwork that demonstrates exceptional mastery and impactful use of colour. Honouring a piece where colour is used thoughtfully and powerfully to evoke emotion, create depth, or convey meaning, the Colour Brilliance Award recognises an artist's skill in harnessing the vibrancy, harmony, and expressive potential of colour to enhance their creative vision.
"I am not able to talk, so I get great satisfaction from expressing my inner feelings by painting, especially by using bright colours. I also love the sensation of using thick paint. I love Vincent van Gogh’s work. The colours are really lovely, and I love bright colours. I use his themes but bring my own thoughts to the brightness of the colours. This painting reflects what I imagined, so I have altered it from the original. I hope the viewer enjoys my take on my favourite painter."
This award celebrates an artwork that vividly embodies the essence of our current era, engaging thoughtfully with contemporary social, political or cultural themes. The Spirit of the Time Award recognises a piece that not only reflects the critical issues and conversations shaping today’s world but also invites viewers to consider new perspectives on these matters. By capturing the pulse of the present, this award honours an artist’s ability to create work that resonates with the now, making a lasting impact on the dialogue of our time.
"We all have our own interpretation of Medusa’s story. Villainised to Victimised. Medusa was born as an only mortal among her sisters, holding pure beauty and innocence. Through the brutal actions of a god, she was changed. Transformed by the misguided fury of Athena. Her hair changed to snakes, forced to live with the gaze of destruction. Slain as the only mortal Gorgon by Perseus in her sleep. She is a symbol of strength. We use her as a connection to our own story. Medusa deserves to have her soul returned, and that’s what I deeply hope I have achieved."
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