Elena Churilova Wins 2026 Percival Portrait Painting Prize

Elena Churilova, an artist from Brisbane, has been awarded the $40,000 acquisitive 2026 The Percival Portrait Painting Prize, a competition held every two years. Her artwork, titled Smartphonization, or Gateway to Inner Reality (2026), features Victor Churilov and is created with watercolours on Arches paper, measuring 76 × 40cm. The piece delves into how smartphones alter perception, presenting the device as a gateway that transforms the street into a stage, with ibises and a dingo (or stray dog) acting as the audience. Churilova is recognized for her lyrical style rooted in magic realism. The exhibition can be viewed at Perc Tucker Regional Gallery in Queensland until 30 August 2026.