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Kat Parker Wins 2026 Deakin University Contemporary Small Sculpture Award

award · 2026-10-01

Victoria-based artist Kat Parker has been honored with the 2026 Deakin University Contemporary Small Sculpture Award for her piece Discarded, 2025, which carries a $15,000 prize. This life-sized paper sculpture serves both as a tribute and an educational tool, representing the extinct Northern Pig-Footed Bandicoot—one of only two marsupials to develop hoof-like feet, both of which have vanished due to habitat loss and predation from cats and foxes. Constructed from layered linocut prints on recycled book pages, the artwork incorporates materials such as ink, watercolour, UV resin, MDF, boxboard, and glue. It measures 19.5 x 40 x 11.15cm. Parker was chosen from a pool of forty-three finalists, with Daniel Agdag receiving a Highly Commended mention and Lucie Billingsley winning the inaugural Emerging Sculptors Award. The award is backed by Michael and Emily Tong, and the sculpture is displayed at the Deakin University Art Gallery in Melbourne until 9 October 2026. The work's photograph is credited to Fiona Hamilton.

Key facts

  • Kat Parker won the 2026 Deakin University Contemporary Small Sculpture Award.
  • The award is acquisitive and worth $15,000.
  • Parker's winning work is titled Discarded, 2025.
  • Discarded is a life-sized paper sculpture of the extinct Northern Pig-Footed Bandicoot.
  • The Northern Pig-Footed Bandicoot was one of only two marsupial species to evolve hoof-like feet; both are extinct.
  • The sculpture was made by layering linocut prints on secondhand book pages.
  • Parker was selected from forty-three finalists.
  • Daniel Agdag was Highly Commended and Lucie Billingsley won the inaugural Emerging Sculptors Award.
  • The award is supported by Michael and Emily Tong.
  • The exhibition runs at Deakin University Art Gallery in Melbourne until 9 October 2026.

Entities

Artists

  • Kat Parker
  • Daniel Agdag
  • Lucie Billingsley
  • Fiona Hamilton
  • Michael Tong
  • Emily Tong

Institutions

  • Deakin University
  • Deakin University Art Gallery
  • Art Almanac

Locations

  • Victoria
  • Australia
  • Melbourne

Sources

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