Artist News // June 2026
Jennifer Cochrane Wins at the 2026 City of Rockingham Art Prize
Artist member Jennifer Cochrane has been awarded the Small Sculpture Award at the 2026 City of Rockingham Art Prize for her work Sleeper Self-portrait #15.
This sculpture continues Jennifer's exploration of reclaimed railway sleepers. The judges praised the work for its conceptual depth and physical presence:
“Cochrane's sculpture is made from a railroad sleeper, an unsung support that enables heavy things to travel. Its body stands upright, made up of four equal parts, creating a grainy, dark brooding mass. Despite its fractures, square peg joinery skilfully holds the sum of its parts together. Commanding a presence, the sculptor's self-portrait represents stoicism, strength and endurance… a refined conceptual delivery of a self-portrait.”
Find out more about the exhibition via the City of Rockingham website.
Echoes & Fragments Exhibition Opens at Earlywork Gallery
The JMGA WA Members Exhibition, Echoes & Fragments, recently opened to a warm reception, officially launched by Helen Curtis.
Among the evening’s highlights was the presentation of the commendation for conceptual developement awarded to artist member Sarah Elson. Sarah’s recognition celebrates a thoughtful and resolved conceptual approach, reflecting the calibre of work across this year’s exhibition.
The exhibition is only on for a short time, so make sure to visit Earlywork Gallery before it closes on 28 June.
Jo Darbyshire Receives Highly Commended Award in Mandorla Art Award
Artist member Jo Darbyshire was named Highly Commended for the Rev John Ward Memorial Prize at the 2026 Mandorla Art Award.
Jo Darbyshire’s recent work forms part of the artist’s ongoing exploration of abstract landscape, inspired by the Wheatbelt. Initially intended to depict an illuminated green salt lake, the finished painting was widely perceived as resembling a watermelon – a motif widely recognised as a sign of Palestinian resilience:
“So the painting carries the burden and the charge of this meaning… I asked myself which reading of the painting is the truthful one? I realised a symbol allows more than one truth to be present and when one is fearful, it allows the truth to be both hidden and carried forward.”
Congratulations Jo on such a wonderful achievement.
Discover available works by Jennifer Cochrane, Sarah Elson and Jo Darbyshire in our online Stockroom.