We are excited to announce that John Baird has been selected as a finalist in the highly anticipated Wynne Prize 2026 at the Art Gallery of New South Wales.
Renowned Melbourne based artist John Baird has been selected for his incredible work ‘Prehistoric Harbour’. A practising artist for over forty years, this marks his first selection as a finalist for the Wynne Prize and follows his highly acclaimed survey exhibtion ‘The Authentic Consequence’ at Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery. Working across painting, collage and sculpture, Baird has developed a unique aesthetic that explores how slippages between utilitarianism and decoration inhabit everyday objects. Influenced by the Arts and Crafts movement and in particular William Morris, his depictions of Sydney Harbour are synonymous with his practice.
A pleasant afternoon sketching around Sydney harbour will generally find me pondering on what this gorgeous body of water must have been like before anybody got here.” Prehistoric Harbour” offers a view from quite high up. Perhaps flying as if in a dream and gazing from aloft the body of water at the eastern end of Port Jackson, without buildings or maritime structures, no campfires or water craft, just that beautiful body of salt water and a hint of North and South Heads. Whilst nothing breaks the surface it is clear, at least to me, that plenty lurks below. - Artist Statement, John Baird 2026
The Wynne Prize opens on 9 May and continues until 16 August 2026.
