The 69th Blake Prize exhibition will open to the public on 2 May 2026 at Liverpool Powerhouse, bringing together 33 artists and artist collectives alongside eight poets from across Australia.
Now in its 69th year, the Blake Prize continues its long-standing focus on spirituality, religion and belief, themes that have shaped the award since its establishment in 1951. The exhibition presents a cross-section of contemporary artistic practice engaging with faith, philosophy and the human condition.
Finalists for the Blake Art Prize 2026 were selected by a panel comprising visual artist Claudia Nicholson, writer and academic Associate Professor Chris Fleming, and First Nations curator Tess Allas. In a joint statement, the judges said the exhibition reflects the breadth of spiritual inquiry in current practice.
“Not as a single tradition or belief system, but as a field encompassing diverse practices, inheritances, doubts, and relationships to religion and culture more broadly,” the judges said.
“The shortlisted works demonstrate the vitality of this field and the capacity of contemporary art to approach spiritual questions with openness, rigour and imagination.”
Liverpool City Council Director Community and Lifestyle Tina Bono said the exhibition invites public engagement with complex themes.
“The Blake Prize exhibition asks big questions and invites people to reflect, discuss and connect,” Ms Bono said.
“These are not quiet works. They are bold, considered and emotionally resonant. Whether people come for the art, the ideas or the conversation it sparks, this is an exhibition well worth experiencing.”
Ms Bono said the city was committed to continuing its role as host of the national prize.
“For 75 years, the Blake Prize has played an important role in Australian art, and Liverpool is proud to be its home,” she said.
“The exhibition reflects the diversity of perspectives that shape our city and our country, and we encourage visitors from across Sydney and beyond to come and see it.”
The exhibition runs until 14 June 2026, with prize winners to be announced at the official launch event on 1 May. Awards include The Blake Art Prize, The Blake Poetry Prize in partnership with WestWords, Western Sydney Centre for Writing, The Blake Acquisitive Art Prize and The Blake Next Generation Scholarship.
Following the launch, visitors will be invited to vote for the Blake People’s Choice Art Prize.
With contributions from artists and poets nationwide, the exhibition continues to position itself as a platform for contemporary expressions of belief and reflection within Australia’s arts sector.
LIST OF FINALISTS FOR THE 69TH BLAKE ART PRIZE
- Akil Ahamat (NSW)
- Tarik Ahlip (VIC)
- Giles Alexander (NSW)
- Jiva Parthipan and Zanny Begg (NSW)
- Dagmar Cyrulla (VIC)
- Christine Dean (NSW)
- Tamara Dean (NSW)
- Paula do Prado (NSW)
- Emma Fielden (NSW)
- Todd Fuller (NSW)
- Phillip George (NSW)
- Croydon Wharéc (NSW)
- Morgan Hogg (NSW)
- Drew Connor Holland (NSW)
- Emily Hunt (NSW)
- Delia Juburri (NT)
- Cameron Kawurlkku (NT)
- Pā’utu-‘O-Vava’u-Lahi, Adriana Māhanga Lear (QLD)
- Dr Kirsten Garner Lyttle (VIC)
- Enoch Mailangi (NSW)
- Jennifer Kemarre Martiniello OAM (ACT)
- Vedika Rampal (NSW)
- Caroline Rothwell (NSW)
- Lauri Smith (NSW)
- Nicola Smith (NSW)
- EJ Son (NSW)
- Ali Tahayori (NSW)
- Tony Tran (NSW)
- Murat Urlali (NSW)
- Bugai Whyoulter (WA)
- Prita Tina Yeganeh (QLD)
- Sary Zananiri (VIC)
- Collective including: Gaius Wapi, Pius Wasi, Joachim Mamambi, and David Bridie, with video artist K. Deverell and the many cultural artists from Changriman Village, Chambri Lakes. (VIC)
LIST OF FINALISTS FOR THE 2026 BLAKE POETRY PRIZE:
- Allison Browning
- Phillippa Cordwell
- Adrienne Eberhard
- Freshta Nawabi
- Kathryn Reese
- Omar Sakr
- Terri Slanovits
- Chen Wang
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