Congratulations to National Art School alum Samantha Jade (MFA 2023), recipient of the 2027 Prudence MacLeod Prize.

One of the most significant international residency programs in Australia, the Prudence MacLeod Prize supported by the Lansdowne Foundation, provides an opportunity for an emerging artist who has recently graduated from the National Art School, to immerse themselves in London, one of the world’s most vibrant and diverse artistic communities

The residency, spanning a period of six months, provides a dedicated studio space and accommodation at Acme’s Fire Station building located in the heart of London, international flights and a stipend to cover living expenses during the residency period. 

Samantha Jade works with expanded analogue photographic processes. Her practice holds photography as a site of knowledge: making becomes a way to engage with the world and its forces, processes, beings, and histories. She explores the vibrancy of her materials: precious metals, gelatine, chemistry, time, and light become active participants in the making. Each work images the world through its own transformation.

Reflecting on the prize, Samantha said, ​“I am so grateful for this incredible opportunity. To have funded time to focus on my practice is amazing, and I feel blessed to have this kind of support. The resources I will have access to in London will help facilitate so much learning, making, and growth. I’m buzzing with excitement!”

Selection Panel Statement

The Prudence MacLeod Prize selection panel was delighted by the exceptional quality and diversity of this year’s applications, across a wide range of materials, disciplines, concepts and approaches. The shortlisted artists each presented well-developed proposals and demonstrated a strong commitment to advancing their practice. Selecting a single recipient from such a high-quality field is always a challenging task. The panel extends its sincere thanks to all applicants and warmly acknowledges the generous contributions of those invited to interview.

We are pleased to award the 2027 Prudence MacLeod Prize to Samantha Jade, National Art School MFA graduate (2023).

The selection panel unanimously selected Samantha’s proposal for its thoughtful engagement with the material and historical foundations of photography and her deep understanding of experimental processes as a means of exploring non-human worlds. The panel was particularly impressed by her intention to undertake specialist training in carbon printing with Dr Katayoun Dowlatshahi, recognising this as a rare opportunity to develop expertise unavailable in Australia. The proposed research at the Victoria and Albert Museum Photography Centre and the National Science and Media Museum will provide an exceptional foundation for expanding her practice through direct engagement with significant photographic collections, historical analogue processes, and primary research materials.

The selection panel considered this residency a timely and significant opportunity for Samantha’s artistic and professional development, building on her recent solo exhibition, Terrestrial Tapestries, at Manly Art Gallery & Museum. We congratulate Samantha and wish her every success during her residency.

Prudence MacLeod, Dr Kristen Sharp, Dr Yolunda Hickman

Samantha Jade, ​‘The Last Moult’, Chromogenic Handprint from Film Negative. Image courtesy of the artist.