Exhibiting the Mandorla Art Award 2026: 9-30 May 

The entries are in and the judges have shortlisted 42 finalists out of more than 250 submissions from across Australia.  Out of these finalists, $63,000 will be awarded in prize money during an exhibition held at Holmes à Court Gallery, Douglas Street Gooyaman, West Perth from 9-30 May. For this award, artists were invited to respond to the theme: What is Truth? “I was afraid, because I was naked: and I hid myself” – Genesis 3:10. 

Having viewed the works of the finalists, the Chairperson of the Mandorla Art Award Committee Angela McCarthy commented, “This Award has shown some extraordinary and challenging interpretations of ‘what is truth?’ with reference to Genesis 3:10.  I am amazed at the diversity produced by notable artists from around Australia.” 

“I am amazed at the diversity produced by notable artists from around Australia.”

– Dr Angela McCarthy

It is thanks to our sponsors, donors and patrons that we can continue to support artists and the cultural life of Australia and, alongside the Mandorla Art Prize, an acquisitive prize sponsored by St John of God Health Care, there is a People’s Choice Prize provided by the Benedictine Community of New Norcia and two Highly Commended Prizes sponsored by the Catholic Archdiocese of Perth and the Anglican Diocese of Perth. A new award is the Emerging Artist Prize, sponsored by the University of Notre Dame. This year, the Highly Commended Prize sponsored by the Anglican Diocese of Perth is named for the Rev’d John Ward, artist, priest and member of the Committee, who died suddenly since the last Award.  

The winners will be announced at the Opening Night ceremony on Friday 8 May with the works of all the finalists exhibited at Holmes à Court Gallery, Douglas Street Gooyaman, West Perth from 9-30 May. The Opening Night is an invitation-only event and offers Mandorla’s community of supporters and artists an exclusive first look at the exhibition. This event will be livestreamed on Facebook. The exhibition remains open from 11am to 5pm on Wednesday to Friday and 12 noon to 4pm on Saturdays. Further details can be found on Humanitix (https://events.humanitix.com/2026-mandorla-art-award-exhibition).