Donovan Christie Takes $30,000 Paddington Art Prize for Photorealist Big Prawn Painting
In the 2026 Paddington Art Prize, Donovan Christie took home the $30,000 Main Prize for his oil on linen artwork, Seafood Cocktail, 2026, which features the Big Prawn located in West Ballina. This year marks the twenty-third iteration of the prize. Bronte Leighton-Dore was awarded a $3,000 Honourable Mention for her piece, Closer to home, Centennial Park, 2026, while Stephanie Monteith received $1,000 for Highly Commended with her work, The Kitchen Window, 2026. Nonacquisitive Painting awards were given to Naomi Hobson, Michael Cusack, Katka Adams, Nick Longford, and Yvonne Boag. The exhibition will be held from 16 to 25 October 2026 at Council House, Sydney, culminating in an Art Panel Talk on 24 October.
Key facts
- Donovan Christie won the acquisitive $30,000 Main Prize at the 2026 Paddington Art Prize
- The prize is in its twenty-third year and honours paintings inspired by the Australian landscape
- Christie's winning work is Seafood Cocktail, 2026, oil on linen in a custom frame, 48 × 40cm
- The painting depicts the Big Prawn at West Ballina as a photorealistic Polaroid
- Bronte Leighton-Dore won the $3,000 Honourable Mention for Closer to home, Centennial Park, 2026
- Stephanie Monteith received the $1,000 Highly Commended for The Kitchen Window, 2026
- The exhibition runs 16 to 25 October 2026 at Council House level 1, 111 Queen St Woollahra, Sydney
- An Art Panel Talk takes place Saturday 24 October 2026, 12–1pm, with Julie Nicholson and the 2026 winners
Entities
Artists
- Donovan Christie
- Bronte Leighton-Dore
- Stephanie Monteith
- Naomi Hobson
- Michael Cusack
- Katka Adams
- Nick Longford
- Yvonne Boag
- Julie Nicholson
- Stephanie Hart
- Shaunagh Ashby
Institutions
- Paddington Art Prize
- Art Leven Fine Arts
- The Corridor Project
- Anthea Polson Gallery
- Becker Minty Gallery
- AL Stretchers
- Artw**k Podcaster
- Art Almanac
Locations
- Sydney
- Australia
- West Ballina
- Woollahra
- Centennial Park