The Most Exciting Australian Artists Right Now, According to Top Gallerists

Every February, the city’s art scene goes up a gear. For close to 40 years, the Melbourne Art Fair has brought together the most exciting and sought-after artists across Australasia. This year, 60 of the country’s leading galleries, Indigenous-owned art centres and design studios join under one roof, offering a snapshot of who to watch right now.

There are group shows and tightly curated solo booths, spanning celebrated names like Julie Fragar, Elizabeth Newman and Betty Muffler – a favourite mentioned more than once by those featured in this piece. There’s also the debut of Futureobjekt, a 600-square-metre salon dedicated to collectible design that’s spotlighting rising designers, such as Annie Paxton, Jordan Fleming and Volker Haug Studio. 

There are at least 200 artists on show, so even the most seasoned visitors may struggle with where to start or focus their energy. We asked 11 gallerists, along with fair director Melissa Loughnan, who they’re most excited to see. Their recommendations provide an excellent game plan for the event. (We also asked them about the last piece they themselves bought at the fair.)

Jan Murphy, Jan Murphy Gallery

If you could highlight one artist you’re displaying at the fair, who would it be?
Our presentation is a solo exhibition by acclaimed artist Betty Muffler. Betty is a major voice in contemporary First Nations art and is renowned for her intricate, monochromatic paintings that depict her beloved Country.

Now in her late eighties, she only took up painting just over 10 years ago, but has achieved incredible success in a short time – there are almost too many accolades to mention. She has been widely collected by most major public institutions in Australia and exhibited in major international exhibitions. It’s an absolute honour to present her work at Melbourne Art Fair.

Whose work are you most excited to see at another gallery?
I’m really keen to see the work of a young Melbourne painter, Elynor Smithwick at Sophie Gannon Gallery. Because of the associated costs when you exhibit at a fair, it’s becoming quite rare to see the work of young, emerging and affordable artists in these venues. Like a lot of collectors, I love the opportunity to invest in new talent.

What was your last purchase at the fair?
I always buy something from the fairs we exhibit at. Last fair, our gallery was diagonally opposite Munupi Arts from Melville Island. I ended up taking home two beautiful works by Carol Puruntatameri for myself, and another for a friend. It was lovely to meet Carol and to hear her story.

William Nuttall, Niagara Galleries

If you could highlight one artist you’re displaying at the fair, who would it be?
We are presenting new paintings by Arthur (Jalyirri) Dixon in our booth alongside select photographs from Brenda L Croft. 

Dixon is an early-career artist whose work is remarkably confident and moving. We are showing his third solo exhibition at Niagara Galleries in Richmond concurrently with our presentation at Melbourne Art Fair, after his sellout exhibitions in 2024 and 2025. His immediate and energetic paintings [are] original, vibrant and engaging.

Whose work are you most excited to see at another gallery?
I’m always interested in discovering something new and can’t wait to see what each gallery is showing. You can’t appreciate a work fully until you’ve seen it in person, so I’m looking forward to the fair opening.

What was your last purchase at the fair?
A small work by Gao Ping from Vermilion Art in 2025

Melissa Loughnan, fair director

Which artists are you looking forward to seeing the most?
The list is long! But I know that some of my highlights will be:

Ruth O’Leary at Mary Cherry. Ruth will be showing a new photographic series called Hidden Mothers, which will consider the role of the female body as a muse within art history, alongside her celebrated Fuck Paintings. 

Hany Armanious at Fine Arts, Sydney. I’ve been a fan of Hany since I helped to install his work as an ACCA intern in 2006.

Elizabeth Newman at Neon Parc. This will be a celebration of Lizzy’s life and legacy – a truly influential artist who sadly recently passed. She has made a heavy impact on the practices of many of her Melbourne peers.

What about in the design space?
Annie Paxton. I have a couple of her mirrors and am a huge fan.

What was your last purchase at the fair?
An Ali Sharabdar watercolour from Daine Singer and some ceramic vessels and stools by Sebastian Temple from Haydens, both from last year’s fair.

Daine Singer, Daine Singer gallery

If you could highlight one artist you’re displaying at the fair, who would it be?
I’ll be showing a really interesting group of Maggie Brink paintings. Maggie’s works come into their own as a group; there is a beautiful pacing and interaction that happens between quite disparate imagery and styles of painting across her work.

Whose work are you most excited to see at another gallery?
Caves is presenting a group show including Noriko Nakamura, whose sculptural practice is informed by Shinto animism. I’ve always loved Caves’ program and we’ve had a crossover of artists over the years. Noriko is an artist I’ve also worked with before, showing her limestone sculptures, and I’m excited to see her new bronze works.

What was your last purchase at the fair?
I’m there to sell, not shop! Last purchase was a glass of Bolly and hot chips.

Sophie Gannon, Sophie Gannon Gallery

If you could highlight one artist you’re displaying at the fair, who would it be?
We are really excited to be showing the work of Elynor Smithwick, who we started representing at the end of last year. Elynor is showing some beautiful large works on canvas and also 40 small paintings on aluminium, almost like postcards, priced at $750 each. They will be highly sought after, and you can only see them to purchase if you come to the fair – a Melbourne Art Fair exclusive. 

Whose work are you most excited to see at another gallery?
I can’t wait to see paintings by Indigenous artist Betty Muffler at Jan Murphy Gallery. 

What was your last purchase at the fair?
I purchased a broomstick at a fair a couple of years ago by Loren Kronemyer. I tend to take a chance at an art fair and purchase things that make me smile. And I’m a bit witchy.

Tania Doropoulos and Matt Glenn, Palas

If you could highlight one artist you’re displaying at the fair, who would it be?
We’re excited to show recent sculptures by Eva Rothschild to a Melbourne audience already familiar with her work. Her large-scale solo exhibition at ACCA in 2018 was an important precursor to her representing Ireland at the Venice Biennale in 2019.

Whose work are you most excited to see at another gallery?
We are looking forward to seeing Ava’s presentation of Emma Buswell.

Nicholas Thompson, Nicholas Thompson Gallery

If you could highlight one artist you’re displaying at the fair, who would it be?
I will be taking a solo exhibition by Heidi Yardley to the Melbourne Art Fair this year. Melbourne-based Heidi Yardley constructs her paintings by disassembling and rearranging images from vintage media, psychological archives and esoteric traditions into haunting and fragmented compositions. 

Whose work are you most excited to see at another gallery?
There are so many great artists and galleries exhibiting, but I am always drawn to the solo exhibitions and the galleries that take a risk by presenting the work of just one artist.

On my list this year are Simon Zoric presented by Lon Gallery; Lesley Dumbrell at Charles Nodrum Gallery; Julie Fragar at The Renshaws; Arthur (Jalyirri) Dixon at Niagara Galleries; Elizabeth Newman at Neon Parc; Elynor Smithwick at Sophie Gannon Gallery; Betty Muffler at Jan Murphy Gallery; and Alex Walker at Void.

What was your last purchase at the fair?
In all honesty, probably a sandwich, as days at the fair are long for the galleries.

Joseph Gardner, Studio Gardner

If you could highlight one artist you’re displaying at the fair, who would it be?
It’s so hard to choose just one, but if I can highlight two: Pauline Esparon, whose work with raw materials results in pieces that feel truly unique and collectible, and Jumandie Seys, who handworks leather and steel into functional sculptures that are both beautiful and thoughtful.

Whose work are you most excited to see at another gallery?
We are really excited to be part of, and experience, the first year of Futureobjekt. Beyond that, there’s so much great work, it’s hard to narrow it down.

Dominic Kavanagh, Ames Yavuz

If you could highlight one artist you’re displaying at the fair, who would it be?
Caroline Rothwell is an alchemical genius; her studio is part science lab, part greenhouse and all wonder. For Melbourne Art Fair 2026, Rothwell has created a suite of five sculptural works that will fill the Ames Yavuz booth.

Whose work are you most excited to see at another gallery?
Betty Muffler is having a solo exhibition and we can’t wait to see what she produces for this body of work. Ames Yavuz represents Betty Muffler internationally and in 2025 we were delighted to share her work with audiences in Hong Kong, London, Abu Dhabi and Miami. It’s always a treat to see phenomenal Australian First Nations art in an international context and it’s equally important to see it at home.

What was your last purchase at the fair?
An ice-cold glass of Bollinger, of course!

Joanna Strumpf and Ursula Sullivan, Sullivan & Strumpf

If you could highlight one artist you’re displaying at the fair, who would it be?
We are really excited to share Sam Leach’s new body of work, Good Life. Sam’s recent research into AI and machine learning technologies has focused on the effect of AI on non-human animals and the environment. [He] takes us on a leap into the future. 

Whose work are you most excited to see at another gallery?
We’re keeping an open mind, but sure there’ll be lots of great things. We’ll know it when we see it.

What was your last purchase at the fair?
Last year, we each bought an artwork by Kenny Pittock.   

Tom Jamieson, Martin Browne Contemporary

If you could highlight one artist you’re displaying at the fair, who would it be?
It’s hard to choose just one highlight, but we are especially excited to be presenting the stunning oil paintings of Alexander McKenzie, a painter celebrated for his deeply atmospheric landscapes that capture a real sense of place and quiet intensity.

Whose work are you most excited to see at another gallery?
I’m especially excited to visit the APY Art Centre Collective’s booth and see what Tiarnie Edwards, alongside their other artists, will be presenting at the fair.

Tiarnie is an emerging artist creating figurative ceramic works that explore identity, culture, history, politics and activism within contemporary Australian life, with a particular focus on First Nations experience. 

What was your last purchase at the fair?Somewhat surprisingly, I am yet to make my first purchase at MAF, but don’t see that restraint lasting much longer!

Geoff Newton, Neon Parc

If you could highlight one artist you’re displaying at the fair, who would it be?
We are presenting a small group of recent and historical works on paper and paintings by the late Elizabeth Newman, an artist who has been with the gallery since its inception in 2006. Elizabeth’s work is quite singular in her approach to abstraction and has influenced many younger artists and peers during her 40-year career as an artist.

Whose work are you most excited to see at another gallery?
Arts Projects is always a treat and artist Chris Mason has always made very engaging, materially interesting work. Also, Wendy Dawson’s intricate drawings and paintings are hypnotic.

What was your last purchase at the fair?
It was probably from Arts Project. A small ceramic work – I can’t remember the artist, which is embarrassing.