The winners of the Wyndham Art Prize have been announced and it was a celebration of ‘country’ which took out top place.
Gail Harradine, a Wotjobaluk, Jadawadjali, Djubagalk painter, photographer and printmaker won the award for her work Djurite rocks, climbing and Jadawadjali 2020.
“I was absolutely thrilled for my work to be selected as the winner of 2026 Wyndham Art Prize,” says Gail.
“Djurite rocks, climbing and Jadawadjali 2020, looks over to Mitre Lake at sunset. It is a deeply meaningful time of day in contemplating the past, present and future.”
“My love of country is expressed,” she says. “The land is so special and important to me, and my connection to country is always with me.”
“I have been grappling with the divisions happening back home at Djurite (formerly known as Mt Arapiles) and the negative outcry surrounding the closing of the rock art routes from (some) disgruntled climbers and the continued healing needed to overcome this bubbling of lack of understanding of Traditional Owner love of country, kinship and fierce, long-standing connection to this unique region.”
“I was working through my family photographs and printmaking PhD at RMIT and found one from Dimboola (Wotjobaluk Country), with such images able to refresh my spirit and connection despite not being there everyday.”
Established in 2015, the Wyndham Art Prize has grown to become one of Australia’s largest art awards drawing over 700 exceptional entries from across Australia with 80 finalists selected from 430 artists.
The 2026 Judging Panel includes acclaimed artist and past Wyndham Art Prize winner Camile Hannah; Kendrah Morgan, Head Curator at the Heide Museum of Modern Art; and Maya Hodge (Lardil), curator and writer.
This year’s submissions presented a vibrant and timely snapshot of the themes and issues shaping our world. The art works focus on materiality, with artists working across an impressive range of textiles and mediums including, painting , sculpture and photography that featured strongly, complemented by quieter yet equally compelling works in textiles, drawing and installation.
As the winner, Gail Harradine takes away the $15,000 First Prize.
The $10,000 Second Prize was awarded to Safa El Samad for her intricate embroidery work Textiles in Gaza. The $8,000 Third Prize was awarded to Penelope Davis for her cameraless photograph Afterimage: pear/grapes.
And 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.
All the winning and shortlisted art works are on display at the Wyndham Art Gallery until 22 March. Visitors can nominate their favourite work of art for the $2,500 People’s Choice Award announced on Saturday 11 April. The exhibition is free.
Wyndham Art Gallery, 177 Watton Street, Werribee.
