We are pleased to announce our new judge is Sasha Grishin AM, FAHA.  

Sasha has written over 30 books on art (including the acclaimed Australian Art: A History) and more than two thousand articles, exhibition reviews, and catalogue essays. He spent an incredible 46 years as the senior art critic for The Canberra Times (from 1977 to 2023) and is an Emeritus Professor at the Australian National University in Canberra.

Over the years, he’s also taken on roles as Guest Curator at the National Gallery of Victoria and the State Library of Victoria, and continues to work internationally as an art historian, critic, and curator. Sasha’s academic journey is just as impressive—he studied at the universities of Melbourne, Moscow, London, and Oxford, and has spent time as a visiting scholar at Harvard University. In recognition of his remarkable contributions to the arts, he was elected a Fellow of the Australian Academy of the Humanities in 2004, received the Order of Australia (AM) in 2005, and was awarded a Citation for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning in 2008. These days, Sasha splits his time between Sorrento, Canberra, and various residencies abroad—but we’re especially excited to welcome him as our “local” Judge. Having someone of Sasha’s calibre and deep local connection makes this year’s Prize all the more special.

Congratulation to our sixty finalists

Adriane Strampp & Alice Pulvers & Alun Rhys Jones & Bill Perrin & Brad Gunn & Cameron Hayes & Carmel Wallace & Carolyn Cardinet & Charles Rocco & Christopher Langton & Christine Healy & Clare Brodie & Dagmar Cyrulla & Daniel Moynihan & Dave Sparkes & David Palliser & Faridah Cameron & Frank Duyker & Gail Hocking & Gareth Sansom & Geoff Overhue & Glenn Clarke & Graeme Altmann & Greg Somerville & Ines Cook & Irene Barberis & Jaq Grantford & Jason Waterhouse & Jim Pavlidis & Jo Mellor & Jon Cattapan & Joshua Cocking & Karen Napaljarri Barnes & Kate Briscoe & Kate Shaw & Kevin Chin & Lisa Roet & Marion Harper & Mark Cuthbertson & Martin King & Matthew Calvert & Matthew Quick & Michael Le Grand & Peter Westwood & Phillip George & Phillip HOWe & Richard Horvath & Robbie Rowlands & Robert Croft & Robert Lee Davis & Ruth Allen & Saxon Quinn & Sonia Payes & Stephen Haley & Stewart MacFarlane & Takahiko Sugawara & Tamara Dean & Warren Breninger & Yvonne Boag & Zac Bevan