The Art Gallery of South Australia (AGSA) today confirmed the selection of Ellie Buttrose as the curator of the 2026 Adelaide Biennial of Australian Art, heralding a new chapter for the storied exhibition.
Buttrose, who is currently serving as the Curator of Contemporary Australian Art at the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA), has come off an impressive stint at the Venice Biennale 2024. Under her stewardship, Australia captured the prestigious Golden Lion for Best National Participation, a first for the country. At Venice, her curated project, “kith and kin” by Archie Moore, received extensive acclaim.
As the nation’s most enduring survey of contemporary Australian art, the Adelaide Biennial has attracted significant attention both domestically and internationally. AGSA Acting Director Emma Fey commented on the appointment, stating, “We are thrilled to announce Ellie Buttrose as the curator of the 2026 Adelaide Biennial. Her wealth of experience and nuanced curatorial practice promises to deliver a captivating exhibition and attract new audiences.”
Buttrose’s selection emerged from a competitive field, with the judging panel chaired by Fey, in collaboration with outgoing AGSA Director Rhana Devenport, outgoing Assistant Director Lisa Slade, Artistic Director Adelaide Festival Ruth Mackenzie CBE, and Geelong Gallery Director and CEO Jason Smith. The panel was impressed with Buttrose’s dedication to exploring the complexities of the contemporary world through diverse artistic perspectives.
The panel stated, “We feel a genuine sense of excitement with the curatorial vision for the Biennial proposed by Ellie Buttrose. She invites risks and experimentation, which aligns perfectly with the Biennial’s history of thought-provoking and relevant exhibitions.”
Buttrose expressed her honour in being chosen for this role, saying, “I am honoured to be selected as the Curator of the 2026 Adelaide Biennial of Australian Art. The Biennial is unique in terms of its curatorial ambitions and I look forward to contributing to its rich history through my collaborations with artists, arts writers, historians, and the AGSA team.”
The Adelaide Biennial, inaugurated in 1990, not only celebrates contemporary Australian art but also enhances AGSA’s collection significantly. From the 2024 edition alone, seven works were acquired, including those by Heather B. Swann and Lillian O’Neil. The exhibition has been instrumental in the careers of nearly 500 artists and has entertained over 1.8 million visitors.
Scheduled to run from 27 February to 7 June 2026, the next Adelaide Biennial of Australian Art will coincide with the Adelaide Festival, continuing its tradition of fostering critical and public engagement with the arts.
The ongoing success of the Biennial and its dynamic evolution promise an engaging and inspiring 2026 iteration under Buttrose’s direction, as the exhibition continues to champion innovative and critical Australian art on both the national and international stage.
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