Discover Australia’s Rising Art Stars at National Art School’s 2024 Grad Shows.

Benjamin Akuila, Emeline, 2024, stoneware clay, gold spray paint, 22 x 22 x 11cm. Photo by Silversalt Photography.

Rachel Mackay, Torso, 2024, latex and pine, 200 x 160cm. Photo by Silversalt Photography.

Jake Starr, A Weak & Panicked Animal, 2024, 12 minute 4K video, construction fence, child safety straps, aluminium bench, lego, power cords, TV screen, 210 x 240 x 100cm. Photo by Silversalt Photography.

Mitchel Davis, Everyday is a lifetime, 2024, childhood blanket, cotton thread, sewing pins, wadding, acrylic, tent poles, cloth tape, cable ties, millinery elastic and builders string line, 210 x 230 x 10cm. Photo by Silversalt Photography.

Emily Isabel Taylor, SPINNE, 2024, bronze and recycled plastic, 190 x 56 x 48cm. Photo by Silversalt Photography.

The National Art School’s 2024 Grad Shows is here, with over 180 emerging artists ready to shake up Australia’s art scene. The show kicks off with the Post Grad exhibition (8-17 November), featuring more than 400 works from 30+ Master of Fine Art graduates, followed by the undergraduate showcase (6-15 December) presenting pieces from 150 Bachelor of Fine Art students. Both exhibitions transform the historic Darlinghurst Gaol campus into a labyrinth of creativity, where visitors can explore everything from traditional techniques to boundary-pushing experimental works.

What makes these shows particularly special is their setting within NAS’s atmospheric studio spaces. It’s not just about viewing finished pieces—you will also get to peek behind the curtain and see where the magic happens. The artists are present to chat about their work, making it feel more like an intimate studio visit than a formal exhibition.

This year’s postgraduate cohort is serving up some seriously thought-provoking work. Benjamin Akuila’s ceramics explore queer and diasporic identity through a Tongan lens, while Chrystie Longworth’s pieces dive into femininity and domesticity with a subversive edge. Quan Zhu Ma’s drawings beautifully merge Chinese philosophy with contemporary practices, and Freyja Fristad’s printmaking tackles the complex terrain of cultural identity and loss.

“We are so proud to showcase the work of this outstanding cohort,” says Simon Cooper, Interim Director and CEO. “Each year the NAS Grad Shows garner strong interest from gallerists and collectors alike, who take the exciting opportunity to meet these artists at the launch of their careers.”

The exhibitions aren’t just about viewing—they’re about collecting too. With works available for purchase, it’s a rare chance to snap up pieces from tomorrow’s art stars before they hit the big time. After all, these shows have launched the careers of some pretty major names in Australian art, from Margaret Olley and John Olsen to contemporary powerhouses like Mitch Cairns and Karla Dickens.

Whether you’re a serious collector or just love discovering new talent, the Grad Shows offer a fascinating glimpse into the future of Australian art.

NAS gallery (top) – Lucinda Bird (front), Oliver Abbott (back).Photo by Peter Morgan.

[Images courtesy of NAS. Photography by Peter Morgan and Silversalt Photography.]