Wyndham City congratulated the winners of the 2026 Wyndham Art Prize announced at the Opening & Awards Ceremony on Saturday 31 January!
Gail Harradine has taken out the top award in this year's 2026 Wyndham Art Prize.
The artwork, a photographic print titled 'Djurite rocks, climbing and Jadawadjali' took out the $15,000 coveted prize.
The $10,000 second prize was an emotionally powerful artwork that captured the heart of the judges was Safa El Samad for her intricate embroidery work: titled 'Textiles in Gaza'.
The $8000 Third Prize was awarded to Penelope Davis for her cameraless photograph 'Afterimage: pear/grapes.'
Local Wyndham artist FOOT won the $5,000 LEAP Prize (Local Emerging Art Prize) for their photograph 'Assigned Liminal At Birth.' Each year, the LEAP winning artwork becomes part of Wyndham City's Visual Art Collection.
Wyndham City's Mayor, Cr Josh Gilligan said: "Wyndham Art Gallery's premier exhibition the annual contemporary Wyndham Art Prize 2026 attracts entries from some of the best artists across Australia and offers a chance for local and emerging artists to exhibit alongside them."
"It is wonderful to have so many fabulous artworks on display. Exhibitions such as this encourage creativity and artistic expression and strengthen community."
"The 2026 Wyndham Art Prize had over 700 artworks submitted. Of those, Wyndham Art Gallery Curators selected 80 artworks as finalists for this year's exhibition including ten local artists."
"We have paintings, ceramics, photography, sculptures, video, prints, drawings and many other wonderful creations on display," Cr Gilligan said.
This year's Wyndham Art Prize judges were respected Lardil writer and curator Maya Hodge, past Wyndham Art Prize winner and internationally regarded artist Camille Hannah and Head Curator at Heide Museum of Modern Art, Kendrah Morgan. They had the difficult task of selecting the winners from the 80 finalists.
Come and visit the Wyndham Art Gallery and see the amazing artwork on display and don't forget to cast your vote in person via the art gallery ballot box for the People's Choice Award of $2,500. Visit the gallery to nominate YOUR favourite work for the $2500 People's Choice Award, which will be announced at the gallery's next exhibition opening on Saturday 11 April.
The Wyndham Art Prize exhibition is free and on display until 22 March 2026. Opening hours are Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm, and 10am to 3pm on Saturday and Sunday. The gallery is closed on public holidays.
