PERTH.- Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts (PICA) has announced the recipients of this year’s Dr Harold Schenberg Arts Awards at the opening night of the Hatched: National Graduate Show 2026, recognising emerging artists from across Australia through a $50,000 prize pool, the country’s largest dedicated to supporting artists at a pivotal stage in their practice.

The following three recipients will each receive a $15,000 award for their exceptional works as part of the 2026 Dr Harold Schenberg Arts Awards:

• Lychandra Anastasia Gieseman, University of Tasmania (TAS), for Rev(olution)s / To Loves Ruin, 2025.

• Tabitha Glanville, Monash University (VIC), for gyrr ngaya bina-guwal winangaylahna (I am listening now with different ears), 2025.

• Jessica Shannon, North Metropolitan TAFE (WA), for Allowing the Dust to Settle and In-Tension, 2025.

In addition, voting is now open to the public to vote on the Hatched People’s Choice Award, giving another participating artist the opportunity for a $5,000 prize. Exhibition visitors will have the ability to vote on their favourite work up until 5pm on Sunday 20 September.

The 2026 Dr Harold Schenberg Arts Awards judging panel included acclaimed artist and Hatched alum Khaled Sabsabi, who is currently representing Australia at the Venice Biennale; Dr Theo Costantino, Director of the Lawrence Wilson Art Gallery at The University of Western Australia; and Hannah Mathews, Director/CEO of PICA. In selecting this year’s recipients, the judges recognised three distinct practices that demonstrated material sophistication, emotional force and a compelling capacity to translate complex ideas into resonant artistic forms.





For Lychandra Anastasia Gieseman, University of Tasmania (TAS), the judges said: “Lychandra Anastasia Gieseman’s objects hold striking emotional and material force. The work stood out for its ability to inspire empathy: these flailing, fragile forms hold destruction and hope in tension. Its strengths lie in the sensitivity of its material language and the clarity of its emotional proposition. The award recognises both the strength of the work and the promise of a practice capable of deepening its ambition while retaining its distinctive tenderness and resilience.”

Of Tabitha Glanville, Monash University (VIC), the judges observed: “Tabitha Glanville’s work is deeply considered, demonstrating a materially assured practice that brings layered filmic, spatial and poetic strategies into powerful relation. The work stood out for its immersive yet intimate quality, the sophistication of its filmic techniques, its strong material understanding, and its capacity to translate subject, experience and context into a reflective space that feels both personal and protective.”

On Jessica Shannon, North Metropolitan TAFE (WA), the judges said: “Jessica Shannon demonstrates a thoughtful, materially sophisticated practice that brings method and theme into clear and compelling relation. The work stood out for its clarity of intent, ethical restraint and emotional maturity, demonstrating a rigorous trust in materiality as a means of translating lived experience into a reflective and conceptually strong artistic practice.”

Marking its 35th year, Hatched: National Graduate Show 2026 brings together 21 artists from 20 tertiary art schools across Australia. Curated by Mia Palmer-Verevis, Hatched Curatorial Associate 2025-26, the exhibition spans ceramics, painting, moving image, installation, drawing, sculpture, photography and printmaking.

PICA Director/CEO Hannah Mathews said the Dr Harold Schenberg Arts Awards recipients reflected the ambition, experimentation and breadth of contemporary practice represented across this year’s national cohort, while reinforcing Hatched as a platform where new work is not only presented, but developed, contextualised and connected to future artistic pathways.

“Each of this year’s Awards recipients demonstrates a distinct and compelling artistic voice, approaching complex ideas with rigour, curiosity and an openness to experimentation. Hatched recognises artists at a pivotal moment in their development, while creating meaningful pathways into the broader contemporary arts sector. These important Awards provide recipients with the vital time and resources needed to continue taking creative risks, develop ambitious ideas and build sustainable artistic careers,” said Mathews.

Delivered in partnership with The University of Western Australia, the Awards provide a collective prize pool of $50,000 to support the professional and artistic development of some of Australia’s most promising recent art school graduates.

Now in their 17th year, the Dr Harold Schenberg Arts Awards are made possible by funds bequeathed to The University of Western Australia by Dr Harold Schenberg.

Since its inception in 1992, Hatched has supported more than 1,500 artists, many of whom have gone on to shape contemporary art and culture in Australia and internationally.

Hatched: National Graduate Show 2026 at Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts runs until Sunday 4 October 2026. Opening Hours 12—5pm, Tue-Sun.