The Perry Prize 2026 exhibition is officially open, with artists, guests and members of the wider arts community gathering at the Adelaide Perry Gallery to celebrate this year’s 41 finalists.
The evening marked a vibrant celebration of contemporary drawing in Australia. This year’s judge, Scott Elliot , Assistant Curator, Australian Art at the Art Gallery of New South Wales , spoke warmly of the exceptional calibre and breadth of work represented in the exhibition. His selection reflects the many ways artists are engaging with line, surface and material to articulate both personal and collective narratives.
Perry Prize 2026 Judge, Scott Elliot, Assistant Curator of Australian Art at the Art Gallery of New South Wales.
The $25,000 acquisitive prize was awarded to Victorian-based artist Shannon Field for his compelling work Unnatural History (Bat Blue) , a piece that sparked thoughtful conversation among guests throughout the evening. The announcement was met with enthusiastic applause, setting the tone for a night that celebrated ambition, experimentation and excellence in drawing practice.
Perry Prize 2026 Winner: Shannon Field, Unnatural History (Bat Blue) , 2026, Charcoal and oil stick on paper.
A dynamic exhibition
The 2026 exhibition affirms drawing’s ongoing relevance as both a traditional and evolving medium. Across the 41 shortlisted works, visitors will encounter meticulous realism, gestural abstraction and innovative, process-driven approaches. Together, the finalists demonstrate how drawing continues to adapt to contemporary concerns while retaining its essential immediacy and intimacy.
As Curator Jen Gair reflected on the night, the exhibition offers audiences an opportunity to experience the diversity of voices shaping drawing in Australia today, from emerging artists to established practitioners, and to consider how this vital medium continues to influence contemporary visual culture.
Honouring a lasting legacy
The Prize honours the legacy of Adelaide Elizabeth Perry , esteemed artist and educator at PLC Sydney from 1930–1962. Her commitment to drawing from life, technical excellence and modernist ideals continues to inspire the Gallery’s annual exhibition program and its role as a cultural and educational resource for students and the broader community.
Visit the exhibition
If you were unable to attend the opening night, there is still time to experience the exhibition.
The Perry Prize 2026 Exhibition of Finalists is open until 27 March 2026 .
📍 Adelaide Perry Gallery
- Weekdays: 8.30 am – 4.00 pm
- Saturdays: 11.00 am – 4.00 pm
We warmly invite you to visit, view the finalist works, including the winning piece, and immerse yourself in one of Australia’s most significant celebrations of contemporary drawing.