It's time again for the National Works on Paper 2026 and Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery hosts this exception biannual exhibition. I always look forward to this exhibition, in awe of the artists and often challenged by some decisions by judges. I'm drawn to the sculptures and this year there was only 8 pieces out of the 78 pieces on display. This is a showcase from contemporary artists from across Australia working in the fields of weaving, photography, drawing, printmaking and paper sculpture. A couple of highlights below.
Jacky Cheng's Conversations was the standout piece for me. Made from Chinese calendars, the work takes the form of a tea setting ritual that sustain a cultural memory and the power of tradition.
Another favorite is Sarah Thornton Smith's Rapture is a wall installation composed of 74 individually mono-printed lengths of hosho paper. The work highlights coloured inks, stratified images, gestural lines and carefully composed shapes.
Zoe Veness has made a gorgous piece called Double Loop, that transforms cotton rag paper into a sculptural jewellery.
Other pieces that caught my eye
Daphne Mohajer Va Pesaran, Solar Rope 2,3,4
Kyoto Hashimoto Paper Collage 2
Karike Ashworth White in white, not quite white, not alright.
Javk Buckley Blue faced honeyeaters, silvertop ash, Percival Lane