Sydney Contemporary, in partnership with Principal Partner MA Financial Group, today announced the five finalists for the 2026 MA Art Prize, after receiving a record number of submissions.
The 2026 finalists are Melbourne based photographer Alex Walker showing with Void_Melbourne (Melbourne / Naarm), Yolŋu artist Binygurr Wirrpanda showing with Alcaston Gallery (Melbourne / Naarm), Sydney based multidisciplinary artist Jackson Farley showing with NO FANTASY (Melbourne / Naarm), Melbourne based artist Rebecca Diele showing with The Renshaws’ (Brisbane / Meanjin, Sydney / Gadigal Country) and Australian born, New York based painter Renée Estée showing with COMA (Sydney / Gadigal Country).
Now in its fourth consecutive year, the MA Art Prize was established to celebrate and champion emerging and early career artists exhibiting at Sydney Contemporary. This year the acquisitive prize has increased to $25,000, and will be awarded to one early career artist showcasing their work at the Fair, with the winner selected from the finalist list announced today and to be revealed later this month.
MA Financial Group Managing Director and Head of Asset Management, Andrew Martin said: “The calibre of entries for this year’s MA Art Prize has been exceptional, with a record number of submissions reflecting the strength, diversity and ambition of Australia’s emerging and early career artists. We congratulate the five finalists, whose work demonstrates remarkable creativity and artistic vision.
“At MA Financial, we are proud to support the next generation of Australian artists through the MA Art Prize and our partnership with Sydney Contemporary. We believe investing in the arts helps foster a vibrant cultural landscape, while creating meaningful opportunities for artists to gain recognition, connect with new audiences and advance their careers.
“As the MA Art Prize continues to grow, it is rewarding to see its increasing impact and reputation within the contemporary arts community. We look forward to celebrating the finalists and shortly announcing this year’s deserving recipient.”
Since launching in 2023, the MA Art Prize has built a track record of identifying artists on the cusp of major recognition. All three past winners have sold out their booths at the Fair in the years they won, and have gone on to build significant momentum in their practices since. Last year’s winner, Juanita McLauchlan, is a Gamilaraay artist living on Wiradjuri Country in Wagga Wagga, and won for her work Mandaymanday / String of Stars, a large scale contact print that draws on her Gamilaraay identity, history and language shown at CASSANDRA BIRD.
Corban Clause Williams, a Manyjilyjarra artist from the Pilbara, won the inaugural MA Art Prize in 2023, showing with EG Projects in the Fair's Futures sector. Williams' star has continued to rise since, with two further sell out shows, a new projection commission for Parrtjima Festival 2026, and a limited edition range of frames with Specsavers nationally. Most recently, Williams was named one of only six recipients of the inaugural Creative WA Fellowship, beginning a 12 month period of creative development in 2026 that will culminate in an international presentation of new work in 2027.
Alfred Lowe, an Arrernte artist working at APY Studio in Adelaide, won the 2024 MA Art Prize for his large scale hand built stoneware vessel All Dressed Up I, showing with SABBIA. Lowe has built significant momentum since, winning the $40,000 RIGG Design Prize at the National Gallery of Victoria, being named a finalist in both the Ramsay Art Prize and the Wynne Prize, presenting a sold out solo exhibition, After Party, at SABBIA in September 2025, and being named a finalist in the Kings School Art Prize in June 2026. In September 2026, Lowe returns to Sydney Contemporary with SABBIA for a presentation of new sculptural work, The Stars are Blind.
2026 MA Art Prize finalists
Alex Walker, ‘Portals 07 & 08’, 2026, presented by Void_Melbourne
Binygurr Wirrpanda, ‘Guḏurrku’, 2026, presented by Alcaston Gallery
Jackson Farley, ‘big things, clive, ned, ned on horse, star wars, brett, margaret, my uncle’s car, fancy soap, slappy machines, the libs nuclear station finally built, kangaroos, an afl ball, aukus sub, that airline that went bust that my late grandfather had heaps of unused voucher points to and an emu with cockatoos also, 2026.’ presented by This Is No Fantasy
Rebecca Diele, ‘Just a Glimmer’, 2026, presented by The Renshaws
Renee Estee, ‘Empty Nest (we all wait for someone)’, 2026, presented by COMA.
