Art Collector Issue #116

Art Collector issue #116 (April–June 2026) is now available. This quarter we shine a light on the artists flying under the radar—our essential guide to the undiscovered talents and underrated practices that deserve a place in every serious collection. Plus, our Aotearoa Art Fair preview.

From the Magazine

Emma Buswell in her studio.

Emma Buswell transforms kitsch cultural moments like the Coles roast chicken bachelor’s handbags into labour-intensive textile works that probe power, mythology, and the absurdities of contemporary Australian life.

From her monumental self-portrait at the National Portrait Gallery to presentations at Tate Modern and Paris Photo, the South-Sudanese artist’s practice continues to assert new narratives of identity and belonging.

Sara Hughes has spent two decades transforming civic spaces. In her most recent show, she turns inward, mounting a generous inquiry into artistic inheritance and the women artists who continue to guide her vision.

When Shane Akeroyd launched a public digital platform showcasing moving-image art from his collection, he offered a new model for how private patronage can serve public access.

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News

Winners announced for 2026 Ravenswood Art Prize

Sydney-based artist Monica Rani Rudhar has won the 2026 Ravenswood Australian Women's Art Prize.

Finalists announced for 2026 Telstra NATSIAA

More than 60 artists have been named finalists in the 2026 Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards (Telstra NATSIAA), now in its 43rd year.

Collegiality and Confidence

Aotearoa Art Fair returned in 2026 self-assured and energised — and put relationships, not transactions, at its centre.

Richard Lewer wins 2026 Archibald Prize

Naarm/Melbourne-based painter Richard Lewer has been awarded the 2026 Archibald Prize for his life-size portrait of senior Pitjantjatjara artist, Elder and ngangkari (traditional healer) Iluwanti Ken.

David Egan wins 2026 Bayside Painting Prize

David Egan has been awarded the $25,000 non-acquisitive Major Prize at the 2026 Bayside Painting Prize for his work "Decreation Machine."

Rare Papunya works from a landmark private collection headline D Lan Galleries’ Significant 2026

Ten early Western Desert paintings assembled by architect Carey Lyon and psychologist Jo Crosby go on exhibition this May.

Twelve finalists named for 2026 National Photography Prize

Murray Art Museum Albury reveals the shortlist for its prestigious biennial award, now honouring the gallery's founding director for the first time.

What does it mean to hold a collection?

For collectors drawn to questions of preservation, stewardship and the cultural life of objects, Smith's survey at the Arts House Trust offers an unexpectedly personal provocation.

First Nations stories woven into the heart of Perth’s newest campus

Two major public artworks by Lea Taylor and Reko Rennie bring the cultural and ecological narratives of Boorloo to Edith Cowan University's new city precinct.

Bett Gallery announces representation of Tasmanian painter Clifford How

Hobart's Bett Gallery has announced the representation of Tasmanian landscape painter Clifford How.

The 2026 NGV Triennial opens in Melbourne this December

The National Gallery of Victoria will open the fourth edition of its flagship contemporary art and design survey this summer.

Sydney stencil artist Luke Cornish wins 2026 Gallipoli Art Prize

Sydney artist Luke Cornish, also known as ELK, has won the 2026 Gallipoli Art Prize.

What’s On: Commercial Galleries

Group exhibition: Stormy Weather

Art Collective WA presents a group exhibition.

David Booth: Rearranging the Universe

Hugo Michell Gallery presents new work by David Booth (Ghostpatrol).

Alfred Lowe: A GREAT AND WONDROUS SIGN

Hugo Michell Gallery presents new work by Alfred Lowe.

Ara Dolatian: In Between Forms

THIS IS NO FANTASY presents work by Ara Dolatian.

Jenny Topfer

Fox Jensen presents paintings by Jenny Topfer.

Chun Yin Rainbow Chan: Continuum

MARS presents Chun Yin Rainbow Chan’s inaugural exhibition.

Alberto Garcia-Alvarez: Nothing is Finished While I Am

Tim Melville Gallery presents works by Alberto Garcia-Alvarez

SIGNIFICANT

Now in its second decade, D'Lan's flagship annual exhibition opens simultaneously across all three galleries

Zory McGrath: Fragments of Urban Essence

BSG Projects presents Zory McGrath's solo exhibition.

Group Exhibition: At The Centre

BSG Projects presents work from seven Central and Western Desert Indigenous Art Centres.

Grace Wood: Petal as Pixel

LON Gallery presents Grace Wood's fifth exhibition with the gallery.

Elle Wickens: Skin After Successive Skin

AMES YAVUZ presents works by Elle Wickens

Timothy Cook: Parlingarri Jilamara

Alcaston Gallery presents work by Timothy Cook.

Teo Treloar: Tethered

OLSEN Gallery presents works by Teo Treloar

Caroline Zilinsky: Manufactured Consent

NandaHobbs presents work by Caroline Zilinsky.

Kathryn Ryan: Beyond

NandaHobbs presents work by Kathryn Ryan.

Suzie Idiens: Basel Series

Void_Melbourne presents the second solo exhibition by Suzie Idiens.

Caitlin Yardley: Relational Painting

Moore Contemporary presents the artist's first comprehensive showing in Perth since 2015 exhibitions presented at PICA and Moana.

A Long Thread of Attention

Aida Tomescu and Colin McCahon together at Fox Jensen McCrory

Kate McKenzie Lewis: Ember

Bett Gallery presents work by Kate McKenzie Lewis.

Group Exhibition: Stockmen

8 Hele Gallery presents a group exhibition.

Ruby Bovill: Softly Held

Brunswick Street Gallery presents work by Ruby Bovill

APYACC: New Ground

Martin Browne Contemporary presents works by APYACC

Group Exhibition: LEVIATHAN

LEVIATHAN, curated by AnaÏs Lellouche, features an intergenerational group of artists, many showing for the first time in Australia.

Ken Whisson (1927-2022)

Niagara Galleries presents an exhibition of never-before exhibited paintings by the late Ken Whisson (1927-2022).

Jo Darvall: Changing States

Fox Galleries presents work by artist Jo Darvall

Eva Nolan: Entangled Ecologies

OLSEN Gallery presents work by Eva Nolan

Kate Shaw: Divine Matrix

OLSEN Gallery presents works by Kate Shaw

Evie Adasal: Dopamine

OLSEN Gallery presents work by Evie Adasal.

Teo Treloar: Tethered

OLSEN Gallery presents works by Teo Treloar

Matthew Newkirk: Distorted Image

PARKER Contemporary presents work by Matthew Newkirk

Group Exhibition: Gravity

Fox Jensen presents a group exhibition.

What’s On: Public and Regional Galleries

Ans Westra: Jeetje

The Dowse Art Museum presents work by Ans Westra.

The Neighbour at the Gate

New England Regional Art Museum presents The Neighbour at the Gate; a commissioned group exhibition for the National Art School.

Melody Popple: Balun Gawarima – River Story

Lone Goat Gallery presents work by Melody Popple.

Renae Saxby: Fire Scars

Maitland Regional Art Gallery presents work by Renae Saxby.

Central Belonging Art Award

Cowra Regional Art Gallery presents a group exhibition.

Jessie French: Material Conditions: Systems Beneath Surfaces

Warrnambool Art Gallery presents work by Jessie French.

Group Exhibition: Indelible: The Poetry of Decay

Tweed Regional Gallery presents a group exhibition.

Dean Biŋkin Tyson: CREATE EXCHANGE: Painted Up

Redland Art Gallery presents work by Dean Biŋkin Tyson.

Barbara Dawson: Becoming Now

Belco Arts presents work by Barbara Dawson.

Group Exhibition: My Blood Sings Old Songs

A group exhibition curated by Maya Hodge.

Elizabeth Day: The Fragility of Goodness: The Prison on the Landscape and Other Stories

Bathurst Regional Art Gallery presents an exhibition by Elizabeth Day.

COLLECT 2026

COLLECT is The Lock-Up’s annual fundraising exhibition. 

Group Exhibition: what we share

Manningham Art Gallery presents a group exhibition.

Kate Mackay: Everything at once

Yarrila Arts and Museum presents work by Kate Mackay.

Juno Gemes and Robert Adamson on the Hawkesbury River

Grace Cossington Smith Gallery celebrates the creative partnership of photographer Juno Gemes and poet Robert Adamson.

Wayne Youle: Back in Five

The Dowse Art Museum and The Suter Art Gallery Te Aratoi o Whakatū present work by Wayne Youle.

Jenn Rowe and Jaimie Klum: Where Matter Breathes

Lone Goat Gallery presents a group exhibition.

Old Days, New Days | Arlta-imankinya, Arlta-errama

Ngununggula presents Old Days, New Days Arlta-imankinya, Arlta-errama.

New South Vol. 2: Recent Sculpture & Installation Art

Hazelhurst Arts Centre presents a group exhibition.

Natalya Hughes: The Interior

UniSC Art Gallery presents a touring exhibition by Natalya Hughes.

Amanda Bennetts: Fragmented, divided—yet whole

UniSC Art Gallery presents 'Fragmented, divided—yet whole' by Amanda Bennetts.

The Art of Adaptation: Culture Changes Everywhere

Manly Art Gallery and Museum presents projects by the Kandos School of Cultural Adaptation.

Carly Fischer: Ruins in Reverse

Wangaratta Art Gallery presents work by Carly Fischer.

Christine James: Habitat

Habitat looks at the unique upland wetland reserve, Little Llangothlin, on Banbai Country, exploring Australia's rapidly decreasing biodiversity in paint form.

A Journey in Miniature

New England Regional Art Museum presents a collaborative exhibition from the Australian Society of Miniature Art.

The ArtHITects (Gary Carsley and Ren Jie Teoh): C*Town Conservatory

Campbelltown Arts Centre presents work by The ArtHITects.

Art Collector Guides

South West Biennial 2026: Tracework. A Festival of Contemporary Art Celebrating Regional Western Australia. 21 March - 19 July 2026