Robert Fielding Wins 2026 Hadley's Art Prize; Exhibition of Finalists at Hadley's Orient Hotel

The 2026 Hadley's Art Prize, an acquisitive award of $100,000, has been won by Robert Fielding. The prize, which focuses on portrayals of the Australian landscape, features twenty-six finalists. Among them is Mia Boe, whose work 'That Which Persists' (2026) depicts flannel flowers and spirit figures, symbolizing post-fire renewal and the enduring connection between First Nations peoples and Country. Honourable Mentions were awarded to Natasha Bieniek, Brenda Croft, Kim Leutwyler, and Betty Muffler. Kelsey Ash received both the Residency Prize and the IAS Art Handlers' Award, while Alice Mannheim won the Packing Room Prize. The exhibition of finalists is on view at Hadley's Orient Hotel in Tasmania from 1 to 23 August 2026. The prize is notable for its acquisitive nature, meaning the winning work becomes part of a collection, and for its dedication to landscape painting, a genre deeply tied to Australian identity.