SMH: Why are there 5798 ceramic fortune cookies at Rookwood Cemetery?

SMH: Why are there 5798 ceramic fortune cookies at Rookwood Cemetery?

By Lenny Ann Low

SMH has featured the 12th annual HIDDEN Rookwood Sculpture exhibition, with NAS alumni Mark Booth, Philippa Hagon, Hyun Hee Lee, Pamela Leung, Joanne Makas, Leisa Saige, Jayanto Tan, Whimbrel Wilson and current student Em Ingram-Shute all exhibiting their works.

Like art, historic Rookwood Cemetery can inspire people to slow down, contemplate life and consider the surrounding world.

With the return of Hidden, the cemetery’s annual art walk, the world within the largest cemetery in the southern hemisphere is enhanced by 55 sculptures, installations, photos and video works scattered between curving pathways, gracious pavilions and 100-year-old trees.

Exhibition curator Dr Kath Fries says Hidden, installed on a two-kilometre walk, aims to honour the cemetery, support artists’ expression and change perceptions of cemeteries as dark or intimidating places.

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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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