Art Almanac acknowledges and pays respect to the many Aboriginal nations across this land, traditional custodians, Elders past and present; in particular the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the traditional owners of the land on which we work.

 

September 2026

This time in Art Almanac, it’s the human impact and transformative potential of place. Sasha Grishin marvels at the huge Arthur Boyd tapestries of the St. Francis legend – the artist having visited Assisi and Gubbio in Italy, places central to the life of a saint; Bronwyn Watson homes in on a Ron Robertson-Swann modernist sculpture with a defining place in the spirit of a regional Victorian city; Emma-Kate Wilson speaks with two artists whose works share personal narratives on Tasmanian landscapes; and Joey Hespe – who joins us on the editorial team – soaks in the new Newcastle Art Gallery space and its service to one of Australia’s most significant regional collections. Warm welcome also to Paul Smith, who settles in as our National Advertising Manager. Much transformation within and outside our pages this month, which also sees us as a Sydney Contemporary media partner – see you at the fair.

Art Almanac | Australia’s leading monthly guide to “what’s on” in the arts: exhibitions, events, workshops, open studios, artist opportunities, art awards and services. September 2026 features $400k+ in art prizes/funding, 650+ galleries, and 400+ artists, both emerging and established.

Contents

Editorial

Editor’s note
Editor’s pick

Review:
Arthur Boyd, Tapestries – Words by Sasha Grishin

On display:
Ron Robertson-Swann, Beethoven, 1963 (recreated 1968) – Words by Bronwyn Watson

Feature:
Iconic Loved Unexpected – Words by Joey Hespe

Two up:
Tony Garifalakis × Hari Koutlakis, Pattern, design, impact – Words by Emma-Kate Wilson

Select exhibitions:
Enjoy our curated selection of must-see exhibitions across Australia this month

News:
Hadley’s Art Prize
NT Craft Awards
Mandorla Art Award
Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards
National Photography Prize
Salon des Refusés

Books:
Definitive Dupain

Spotlight:
Sydney Contemporary

What’s on

Gallery index
Melbourne
Victoria
Sydney
New South Wales
Australian Capital Territory
Tasmania
South Australia
Western Australia
Northern Territory
Queensland
Artist index

Art & industry

Artist opportunities & awards
Art auction houses
Submissions and proposals
Studio spaces
Materials
Services
Consultants and valuers
Member organisations
Training

Cover image:
George Johnson, Triangle Construction, 1995, acrylic on canvas, 122 × 91cm /
Courtesy Charles Nodrum Gallery, Melbourne