Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize

2026 Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize

In 2026, the Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize celebrates its 25th anniversary, marking a quarter-century of championing ambitious ideas on an intimate scale. Established in 2001 as Australia’s first acquisitive award devoted to sculptures no larger than 80cm in any dimension, the Prize has grown into an internationally respected platform for creative brilliance. Proudly presented by Woollahra Council and hosted by Woollahra Gallery at Redleaf, the Prize invites artists to push the creative potential of limited scale, presenting an eclectic mix of works across a wide spectrum of materials and artistic approaches.

Exhibition: 2 October to 29 November 2026

Winners

The Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize
An acquisitive award of $25,000

Mark Booth, Nascent State: (hot pink)

Mark Booth, Nascent State: (hot pink)

Photo: Jessica Maurer

The Special Commendation Award
A non-acquisitive award of $2,000

Francheska Coenraads, Palomo

Francheska Coenraads, Palomo

Photo: Jessica Maurer

The Mayor's Award
A non-acquisitive award of $1,000

BJ Kim, do Geese see God?

BJ Kim, do Geese see God?

The Viewers' Choice
A non-acquisitive award of $1,000

Voting is open until Sunday 29 November. The winner will be announced on Monday 30 November.

Vote for your favourite sculpture!

Finalists

49 works

Christian Atichian, Slow decay, carrara marble, 30 x 15 x 15 cm and 15 x 30 x 15 cm.

Christian Atichian, Slow decay, carrara marble, 30 x 15 x 15 cm and 15 x 30 x 15 cm.

(JPG, 16KB)
Billie Baker, Afternoon Stillness, handwoven with recycled cotton, Madagascan raffia, recycled silk and sustainably sourced saltwater pearls, 38 x 31 x 40 cm.

Billie Baker, Afternoon Stillness, handwoven with recycled cotton, Madagascan raffia, recycled silk and sustainably sourced saltwater pearls, 38 x 31 x 40 cm.

(JPG, 52KB)
Lois Basham, Leftovers, soap, wood, 12 x 31 x 47 cm.

Lois Basham, Leftovers, soap, wood, 12 x 31 x 47 cm.

(JPG, 36KB)
Hamish Bassett, Everything was smaller than I remembered, stoneware clay, underglaze, glaze, 2 x 4 x 4 cm.

Hamish Bassett, Everything was smaller than I remembered, stoneware clay, underglaze, glaze, 2 x 4 x 4 cm.

(JPG, 110KB)
Mark Booth, Nascent State: (hot pink), 3D-printed material, enamel paint, 34.5 x 35 x 28.5 cm.

Mark Booth, Nascent State: (hot pink), 3D-printed material, enamel paint, 34.5 x 35 x 28.5 cm.

(JPG, 45KB)
Liz Bryan, Elemental Transmissions, found and repurposed wood, acrylic chalk paint, handmade gesso, gold and silver leaf, 51 x 70 x 45 cm.

Liz Bryan, Elemental Transmissions, found and repurposed wood, acrylic chalk paint, handmade gesso, gold and silver leaf, 51 x 70 x 45 cm.

(JPG, 53KB)
Satu Bushell, The Quiet Weight, plaster, glass beads, stainless steel, acrylic paint and plastic, 22 x 58 x 28 cm.

Satu Bushell, The Quiet Weight, plaster, glass beads, stainless steel, acrylic paint and plastic, 22 x 58 x 28 cm.

(JPG, 18KB)
Valissa Butterworth, Sourdough, bisque fired porcelain, acrylic, pigment, glass, 35 x 20 x 15 cm.

Valissa Butterworth, Sourdough, bisque fired porcelain, acrylic, pigment, glass, 35 x 20 x 15 cm.

(JPG, 45KB)
Robyn Campbell, ‘Still’, glass and ceramic, 15 x 38 x 33 cm.

Robyn Campbell, ‘Still’, glass and ceramic, 15 x 38 x 33 cm.

(JPG, 20KB)
Katherine Castillo Alferez, El Dorado (The Muisca Raft), glazed ceramic on wooden base, 56 x 32 x 30 cm.

Katherine Castillo Alferez, El Dorado (The Muisca Raft), glazed ceramic on wooden base, 56 x 32 x 30 cm.

(JPG, 58KB)
Simon Chalmers, National Theatre Skip, London, archival photographic paper, card, wood, 9 x 21 x 10 cm.

Simon Chalmers, National Theatre Skip, London, archival photographic paper, card, wood, 9 x 21 x 10 cm.

(JPG, 33KB)
Olivia Chin, Tiny rafts, Tablelands, Kombolgie, bronze, found tree limb, 17 x 3 x 3 cm. Appears courtesy of This Is No Fantasy.

Olivia Chin, Tiny rafts, Tablelands, Kombolgie, bronze, found tree limb, 17 x 3 x 3 cm. Appears courtesy of This Is No Fantasy.

(JPG, 31KB)
Bryant Chitsey, Thunderstorm, toothpicks, fabric dye, PVA glue, 16 x 13.5 x 9 cm.

Bryant Chitsey, Thunderstorm, toothpicks, fabric dye, PVA glue, 16 x 13.5 x 9 cm.

(JPG, 52KB)
Melanie Cobham, Unfolded Trees, sandstone, bronze, 43 x 30 x 32 cm.

Melanie Cobham, Unfolded Trees, sandstone, bronze, 43 x 30 x 32 cm.

(JPG, 43KB)
Francheska Coenraads, Palomo, cast iron, sheep wool, plastic, resin, crude oil, 30 x 55 x 35 cm.

Francheska Coenraads, Palomo, cast iron, sheep wool, plastic, resin, crude oil, 30 x 55 x 35 cm.

(JPG, 20KB)
Jacob Davidson, Topology of Other Minds, resin, automotive paint, graphite powder, 30 x 30 x 30 cm. Appears courtesy of Gallery 144.

Jacob Davidson, Topology of Other Minds, resin, automotive paint, graphite powder, 30 x 30 x 30 cm. Appears courtesy of Gallery 144.

(JPG, 28KB)
Lynda Draper, JET, ceramic, pigment wax and hand blown glass, 80 x 53 x 43 cm. Appears courtesy of Sullivan + Strumpf.

Lynda Draper, JET, ceramic, pigment wax and hand blown glass, 80 x 53 x 43 cm. Appears courtesy of Sullivan + Strumpf.

(JPG, 37KB)
Kasia Dudkiewicz, Echo II, cotton rope, metallic thread, wool, 60 x 46 x 4 cm.

Kasia Dudkiewicz, Echo II, cotton rope, metallic thread, wool, 60 x 46 x 4 cm.

(JPG, 57KB)
Mark and Simi Eliott, Ode to the Unknown Conservationist, borosilicate glass, stone base, 28 x 35 x 24 cm.

Mark and Simi Eliott, Ode to the Unknown Conservationist, borosilicate glass, stone base, 28 x 35 x 24 cm.

(JPG, 46KB)
Kelly Fatseas, The Plumbing of Pneuma, magnolia skeleton leaves, nikawa, gofun, paperclay, glass and brass plumbing pipe, 37 x 20 x 22 cm.

Kelly Fatseas, The Plumbing of Pneuma, magnolia skeleton leaves, nikawa, gofun, paperclay, glass and brass plumbing pipe, 37 x 20 x 22 cm.

(JPG, 25KB)
Liss Finney, A silent echo (soft longing), felt, porcelain, foam, steel pins, 15 x 25 x 15 cm.

Liss Finney, A silent echo (soft longing), felt, porcelain, foam, steel pins, 15 x 25 x 15 cm.

(JPG, 21KB)
Kieta Jackson, Ascendant 1, copper, 75 x 42 x 10 cm.

Kieta Jackson, Ascendant 1, copper, 75 x 42 x 10 cm.

(JPG, 42KB)
Christopher Jewitt, Oh my gosh!, earthenware, enamel, gold lustre and acrylic paint, 75 x 73 x 62 cm. Appears courtesy of Saint Cloche.

Christopher Jewitt, Oh my gosh!, earthenware, enamel, gold lustre and acrylic paint, 75 x 73 x 62 cm. Appears courtesy of Saint Cloche.

(JPG, 80KB)
Anita Johnson, Holding care, beeswax with bronze cast of the space between the artist's cupped hands, 19 x 35 x 22 cm. Appears courtesy of Defiance Gallery.

Anita Johnson, Holding care, beeswax with bronze cast of the space between the artist's cupped hands, 19 x 35 x 22 cm. Appears courtesy of Defiance Gallery.

(JPG, 18KB)
Madeleine Kelly, Grey heron and some waterfowl kin 2026, encaustic wax on paper, steel, From 8 x 23 x 15 cm to 50 x 10 x 39 cm.

Madeleine Kelly, Grey heron and some waterfowl kin 2026, encaustic wax on paper, steel, From 8 x 23 x 15 cm to 50 x 10 x 39 cm.

(JPG, 30KB)
BJ Kim, do Geese see God?, bronze, Indian soapstone, 61 x 28 x 41 cm.

BJ Kim, do Geese see God?, bronze, Indian soapstone, 61 x 28 x 41 cm.

(JPG, 54KB)
Annabel Lahz, A,B+F, hire fire in reduction glazed ceramic, 32 x 19 x 9 cm and 21 x 19 x 9 cm.

Annabel Lahz, A,B+F, hire fire in reduction glazed ceramic, 32 x 19 x 9 cm and 21 x 19 x 9 cm.

(JPG, 32KB)
Wanita Lowe, Crisis on Country- Call of the Bilirr Bilirr (black cockatoo), wire, copper and brass, clay, raffia, hessian rope and emu feathers, 74 x 76 x 2 cm. Appears courtesy of Boomalli Aboriginal Art Gallery.

Wanita Lowe, Crisis on Country- Call of the Bilirr Bilirr (black cockatoo), wire, copper and brass, clay, raffia, hessian rope and emu feathers, 74 x 76 x 2 cm. Appears courtesy of Boomalli Aboriginal Art Gallery.

(JPG, 39KB)
Samantha Mackie, See What I Saw? The Anatomy of a Cardboard Box, porcelain, 30 x 60 x 5 cm.

Samantha Mackie, See What I Saw? The Anatomy of a Cardboard Box, porcelain, 30 x 60 x 5 cm.

(JPG, 56KB)
Tony Manning, A modern sarcophagus, contains 90% recycled plastic, contains 30% Ocean Bound Plastic by weight, 6.5 x 8 x 23 cm.

Tony Manning, A modern sarcophagus, contains 90% recycled plastic, contains 30% Ocean Bound Plastic by weight, 6.5 x 8 x 23 cm.

(JPG, 21KB)
Omi McCurdie, 5 stages of Grief, ceramic and glass, 45 x 30 x 30 cm.

Omi McCurdie, 5 stages of Grief, ceramic and glass, 45 x 30 x 30 cm.

(JPG, 55KB)
Matthew de Moiser, Fountain No.2, plastic bowls and plate, plastic bottle caps, plastic jelly mould, plastic salt shaker, plastic tube, water fountain pump, silicone, soft drink, 42 x 30 x 30 cm. Appears courtesy of Flinders Street Gallery.

Matthew de Moiser, Fountain No.2, plastic bowls and plate, plastic bottle caps, plastic jelly mould, plastic salt shaker, plastic tube, water fountain pump, silicone, soft drink, 42 x 30 x 30 cm. Appears courtesy of Flinders Street Gallery.

(JPG, 42KB)
Nasim Nasr, Perseverance (boob) 2025, handblown glass, 50 x 20 x 20 cm.

Nasim Nasr, Perseverance (boob) 2025, handblown glass, 50 x 20 x 20 cm.

(JPG, 25KB)
Thomas O’Hara, S02E03 ‘Sound bight’, mixed Australian Eucalypt recycled from floor boards, linseed oil, bees wax, 40 x 52 x 78 cm.

Thomas O’Hara, S02E03 ‘Sound bight’, mixed Australian Eucalypt recycled from floor boards, linseed oil, bees wax, 40 x 52 x 78 cm.

(JPG, 21KB)
Martin John Oldfield, On and under, painted steel, 43 x 25 x 24 cm. Appears courtesy of Art Atrium.

Martin John Oldfield, On and under, painted steel, 43 x 25 x 24 cm. Appears courtesy of Art Atrium.

(JPG, 29KB)
Sassy Park, Gentleman Jack, earthenware, slip and glaze, 45 x 15 x 12 cm. Appears courtesy of Gallery LNL.

Sassy Park, Gentleman Jack, earthenware, slip and glaze, 45 x 15 x 12 cm. Appears courtesy of Gallery LNL.

(JPG, 29KB)
Silke Raetze, My painting wanted to be a sculpture, acrylic paint, collaged canvas and cross-stitch on raw linen with polyester wadding, 25 x 15 x 14 cm.

Silke Raetze, My painting wanted to be a sculpture, acrylic paint, collaged canvas and cross-stitch on raw linen with polyester wadding, 25 x 15 x 14 cm.

(JPG, 42KB)
Monica Rani Rudhar, Blue and white short hoops, glazed terracotta, glass beads, brass, 54 x 75 x 8 cm. Appears courtesy of Ames Yavuz.

Monica Rani Rudhar, Blue and white short hoops, glazed terracotta, glass beads, brass, 54 x 75 x 8 cm. Appears courtesy of Ames Yavuz.

(JPG, 116KB)
Saxon Reynolds, The Third Chapter, reclaimed timber, furniture leg, cedar, clothesline, aqua curtain cord, curtain ring, rope, glass lens, microscope component, brass screw, beads, measuring tape, 24 x 15 x 15 cm.

Saxon Reynolds, The Third Chapter, reclaimed timber, furniture leg, cedar, clothesline, aqua curtain cord, curtain ring, rope, glass lens, microscope component, brass screw, beads, measuring tape, 24 x 15 x 15 cm.

(JPG, 27KB)
Katherine Sankey, A Wind Rose 2, ceramic, glaze, ink, 14 x 17 x 16 cm.

Katherine Sankey, A Wind Rose 2, ceramic, glaze, ink, 14 x 17 x 16 cm.

(JPG, 29KB)
Fiona J Schoer, Retracted Form with Corsage, timber, fabric, jute, metal fixings, 57.5 x 77 x 30 cm.

Fiona J Schoer, Retracted Form with Corsage, timber, fabric, jute, metal fixings, 57.5 x 77 x 30 cm.

(JPG, 37KB)
Harriet Schwarzrock, Entangled Möbius II, blown laboratory glass, neon gas, an electrical capacitive transformer within a sealed non-conductive box, thread, 40 x 45 x 33 cm.

Harriet Schwarzrock, Entangled Möbius II, blown laboratory glass, neon gas, an electrical capacitive transformer within a sealed non-conductive box, thread, 40 x 45 x 33 cm.

(JPG, 30KB)
Benjamin Jay Shand, Array 17 (Fountain), thermoformed acrylic, profiled mirror, 80 x 39 x 39 cm.

Benjamin Jay Shand, Array 17 (Fountain), thermoformed acrylic, profiled mirror, 80 x 39 x 39 cm.

(JPG, 33KB)
Kat Shapiro Wood, Untitled (until finally, and inversely), rubber, glue, thread, reclaimed stuffing, 28 x 80 x 11 cm. Appears courtesy of Chalk Horse.

Kat Shapiro Wood, Untitled (until finally, and inversely), rubber, glue, thread, reclaimed stuffing, 28 x 80 x 11 cm. Appears courtesy of Chalk Horse.

(JPG, 37KB)
Tricia Singer, Peacock, tjanpi (native desert grasses), rusty steel and galvanised wire, wipya (emu feathers), raffia, acrylic wool, 55 x 57 x 80 cm. Appears courtesy of Tjanpi Desert Weavers.

Tricia Singer, Peacock, tjanpi (native desert grasses), rusty steel and galvanised wire, wipya (emu feathers), raffia, acrylic wool, 55 x 57 x 80 cm. Appears courtesy of Tjanpi Desert Weavers.

(JPG, 40KB)
Kien Situ, Empire of Dust, Chinese Mo Ink, titanium, incense ash, gypsum, archival detritus, 40 cm diameter.

Kien Situ, Empire of Dust, Chinese Mo Ink, titanium, incense ash, gypsum, archival detritus, 40 cm diameter.

(JPG, 32KB)
Dean Stewart, Construct, mixed media, 15 x 15 x 15 cm.

Dean Stewart, Construct, mixed media, 15 x 15 x 15 cm.

(JPG, 29KB)
Tony Tran, Ornaobscurum-Reficio, UV-cured resin, stone-cast gypsum, ceramic, acrylic and lacquer paints, metallic finishes, 50 x 35 x 23 cm.

Tony Tran, Ornaobscurum-Reficio, UV-cured resin, stone-cast gypsum, ceramic, acrylic and lacquer paints, metallic finishes, 50 x 35 x 23 cm.

(JPG, 49KB)
Jesse Wakenshaw, Bounce, makeup sponge, stainless steel, scent - iris, heliotrope, vetimoss, potato, powder accord, dust, ethyl trans-4- decenoate, poudre la mache and jasmine rice tincture, 8 x 4 x 4 cm.

Jesse Wakenshaw, Bounce, makeup sponge, stainless steel, scent - iris, heliotrope, vetimoss, potato, powder accord, dust, ethyl trans-4- decenoate, poudre la mache and jasmine rice tincture, 8 x 4 x 4 cm.

(JPG, 14KB)

 

Judges

The judges of the 2026 Prize are Beau Neilson, Arts Leader and Philanthropist, Tim Silver, Artist and winner of the 2018 Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize and Emily Sullivan, Curator of Contemporary International Art, Art Gallery of New South Wales.

Beau Neilson

Beau Neilson

Beau Neilson is a Sydney-based arts leader and philanthropist with deep experience across cultural institutions, independent venues, and the visual arts. As Creative Director of The Vanguard and formerly of Phoenix Central Park, she has long championed emerging and established artists across disciplines. She serves as Trustee of the Powerhouse Museum, board member of MusicNSW and the Live Music Venues Alliance, member of the NSW Government's 24-Hour Economy Advisory Council and the Creative Communities Council, and Gifting Committee Member of the Neilson Foundation, one of Australia's leading contributors to arts and social cohesion.

"What draws me to the Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize is the intimacy of it. Working at human scale, artists make deliberate, precise choices, and the range of materials and approaches that emerge is consistently surprising. Spaces like the Woollahra Gallery are doing something essential for their communities, and this prize is a beautiful expression of that. I'm looking forward to seeing what this year's artists bring."

Tim Silver

Tim Silver

Tim Silver is a multidisciplinary artist who explores concepts of time and connection. By life casting figures and fragments of his friends and loved ones, the artist presents intimate yet haunting corporeal portraits of connection. These private moments and their transient nature offer a perspective of how personal and collective histories intersect and inform one another.

Silver's work is held in significant private and public collections, including the National Gallery of Victoria, Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide, Murray Art Museum, Albury and Museum of Contemporary Art, Australia. Silver won the Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize in 2018.

"With so few sculpture prizes in the Australian arts, it's an honour to be invited on to the judging panel of the 2026 Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize. I'm excited to see what exploratory rigour and risks this year's artists bring to both their materials and forms."

Emily Sullivan

Emily Sullivan. Photo: Felicity Jenkins
Photo: Felicity Jenkins

Emily Sullivan is Curator of Contemporary International Art at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. Recent projects at the Art Gallery include Mechelle Bounpraseuth: ສູ້ສູ້ Sou Sou and Pet Palace by Little Orange Studio. She was assistant curator Mike Hewson: The Key's Under the Mat and Louise Bourgeois: Has the Day Invaded the Night or Has the Night Invaded the Day? (2023). Previously, she was a curator for Kaldor Public Art Projects. Emily holds an MA in Curating and Cultural Leadership from UNSW Art & Design, Sydney, and has studied at Sotheby's Institute of Art, London.

"Small sculpture has the power to create uniquely intimate encounters between artist and viewer. I'm excited to join the judging panel for this prestigious prize and to discover new work by artists from around the world."

We are grateful for the generous support of our sponsors:

2026 Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize Sponsors

 

Explore the archive

Back to top