SMH: New facade commission for Art Gallery of NSW

SMH: New facade commission for Art Gallery of NSW

Article by Linda Morris

The Art Gallery of NSW has commissioned a new artwork by NAS alumna Karla Dickens to take pride of place above its grand sandstone entranceway. Dickens’ proposal To see or not to see 2019 was selected from five other artists, including NAS alumnae Julie Rrap and Shireen Taweel and staff Deborah Kelly. Their proposals have been on show as part of a free public exhibition, Dora Ohlfsen and the facade commission.

Read on through the article below.

Image: Karla Dickens at the entrance to the NSW Art Gallery. Photo: Dean Sewell

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We are pleased to announce that applications are now open for the Prudence MacLeod Prize. 

The Prudence MacLeod Prize, which will continue for a further three years, supports a recent National Art School graduate to undertake a six-month residency at @acme.art, London.

Supported by the Lansdowne Foundation, the Prize provides an emerging artist with an opportunity to step forward into an expanded, international context at a vital time in their career. The artist will live and work in London, one of the world's great art cities, in a supportive artist community. This important opportunity will enable the artist to forge professional international contacts, explore London's art world and rich cultural resources, and produce a new body of work.

The recipient of this Prize will receive:
– Return travel to London. To be arranged for the artist by NAS.
– Studio accommodation and workspace at Acme Studios for 6 months.
– Living stipend of $AUD3,500 per month for 6 months. Total $AUD21,000.

Application deadline: Sunday 1 February 2026, 11.59pm
Residency: Monday 6 July – Friday 18 December 2026

The Prudence MacLeod Prize is open to eligible NAS alumni who have graduated within the past five years and meet the selection criteria.

Learn more 🔗 in bio. 

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Acme Fire Station, 30 Gillender Street, 1999 © Acme Archive
Thank you to everyone who joined us at the opening of The Grad Show!

Find works by this year's cohort exhibited throughout the NAS campus until 14 December. Open daily from 11am — 5pm and until 9pm on Fridays. 

View online via 🔗 in bio.

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Video: Tim Connolly
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