National Works On Paper 2026
The National Works on Paper Prize, 2026 has opened at Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery. It was a treat to be able to attend the opening. The major acquisitive prize was awarded to Adam Lee for his large watercolour work ‘You are the wind, I am the song’. The emerging art prize to Emma Bingham for her work ‘Holding Pattern’. It was great to meet other finalists and see the amazing diversity and quality of work on display. I am most grateful to the judges and the team at MPRG for including me as a finalist in this years prize exhibition.
My work, ‘Flourish’ 2026 is a collaged alpine landscape erupting with plantlife. This is what I wrote about the work -
Previously a native flower farmer, I grew plants in environments where they were introduced. Now inspired by the alpine regions of Tasmania, I’m fascinated by natives in their natural habitats. They need no cultivation and flourish without assistance, progressing through their seasonal cycles, wearing their struggle for survival in their form.
I’ve been creating collaged ‘landscapes’ of the alpine environment by cutting and tearing my linocuts and refitting them, allowing the lines and shapes within the preexisting works to dictate the new forms that emerge. I use torn lines as latitude and longitude, creating map-like worlds. In ‘Flourish’ the landscape form erupts with plant-life, collaged from botanical linocuts. I like the way paper curls when painted with watercolour, adding a sculptural element to the work.
The show continues until 22nd November at Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery.
