The National Art School (NAS) announced the 56 finalists for the 24th Dobell Drawing Prize, Australia’s premier award for contemporary drawing. The prestigious biennial prize is worth $30,000, and celebrates the evolution of drawing as an essential medium in contemporary art, recognising technique, creativity and innovation.

The finalists were selected by a panel of esteemed experts comprising acclaimed First Nations artist Vernon Ah Kee, Paula Latos-Valier AM, Trustee and Art Director of the Sir William Dobell Art Foundation, and Dr Yolunda Hickman, Head of Postgraduate Studies, National Art School. 

The finalists, selected from a competitive 965 entries, represent an exciting cross-section of established, mid and early-career artists. Among the shortlisted artists are Michael Bell, Osvaldo Budet, Tom Carment, Maryanne Coutts, Martin King, Brian Martin, Nadia Odlum, Agus Wijaya, Yvette Hamilton, Esther Erlich, Rosemary Lee and Chesca Athas.

The works span a diverse range of media including charcoal, coloured pencil, clay, video, and LED – and even human hair. Entries reflect urgent contemporary concerns, including social dynamics, environmental care, and the impacts of climate change and colonisation.

The finalists exhibition, curated by Lucy Latella, will run from 11 April – 21 June 2025 at NAS Gallery. The winning entry will be announced on 10 April on the opening night, and the winning piece will be added to the National Art School’s collection.

As the prize evolves, it continues to build on the legacy of Sir William Dobell, celebrating Australia’s rich history of drawing and championing the next generation of artists. The Dobell Drawing Prize exhibition will be part of the NAS Festival of Drawing, which includes talks, workshops and a research symposium.

Full list of finalists: Badra Aji, Margaret Ambridge, Chesca Athas, Julian Aubrey Smith, Michael Bell, Ellen Bird, Cath Brophy, Osvaldo Budet, Peter Burke, Tom Carment, Amelia Carroll, Genevieve Carroll, Tracey Clement, Hannah Cooper, Sal Cooper, Artemisia Cornett, Maryanne Coutts, Jaq Davies, Jan Davis, Esther Erlich, Imogen Eve Rowe, Philip Faulks, Todd Fuller, Sue Grose-Hodge, Yvette Hamilton, Fe Heffernan, Emryn Ingram-Shute, Eamonn Jackson, Susan Jacobsen, Josephine Josephsen, Martin King, Anke Klevjer, Jane Lander, Rosemary Lee, Brian Martin, Jennifer Mills, Michelle Molinari, Monique Morter, Andrew Nicholls, Nadia Odlum, Toshiko Oiyama, Montgomery Parsons, Jose Patalinghug, Julie Paterson, Nic Plowman, Jaime Prosser, Linda Schneider, Amy Sibenaler, Sally Simpson, J9 Stanton, Floria Tosca, Claire Tozer, Shonah Trescott, Leonardo Uribe, Paul White and Agus Wijaya.