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Now open — 'Mitch Cairns: Artist's Mouth'

1 May – 11 July 2026
Monday to Saturday, 11am – 5pm
NAS Gallery

@instituteofmodernart @thecommercial

—
Installation views: Zan Wimberley

Now open — 'Mitch Cairns: Artist's Mouth'

1 May – 11 July 2026
Monday to Saturday, 11am – 5pm
NAS Gallery

@instituteofmodernart @thecommercial

—
Installation views: Zan Wimberley

Now open — 'Mitch Cairns: Artist's Mouth'

1 May – 11 July 2026
Monday to Saturday, 11am – 5pm
NAS Gallery

@instituteofmodernart @thecommercial

—
Installation views: Zan Wimberley

The National Art School is honoured to announce Juz Kitson and Tim Maguire as the 2026 National Art School Fellowship recipients, an honorary award recognising their significant contributions to Australia’s visual arts community and to the National Art School.

Juz Kitson is celebrated for her extraordinary multidisciplinary practice spanning ceramics, textiles and drawing. Her immersive and emotionally charged installations challenge the conventions of craft while exploring materiality, mysticism and transformation. Her work is held in major public collections including the National Gallery of Australia, MONA and the Art Gallery of South Australia.

For close to four decades, Tim Maguire has been one of the defining voices in Australian contemporary art. Renowned for his luminous large-scale paintings that blur the boundaries between painting, printmaking and digital image-making, his work has been exhibited extensively throughout Australia and internationally, and is held in leading collections including the National Gallery of Australia, the Art Gallery of New South Wales and the National Gallery of Victoria.

We congratulate Juz Kitson and Tim Maguire on this well-deserved honour and thank them for their outstanding contributions.
Left to right: Tim Maguire, Dr Kristen Sharp and Juz Kitson, 📷Nicole Anderson

NAS Gala is back! Save the Date for an evening of infinite imagination and art. Join us for immersive experience of creativity, colour and performance as you enter our world.

Thank you to our major supporter Fairfax & Roberts Jewellers, who are gifting a timeless piece of jewellery for the raffle on the night. More details coming soon! 🎉

Enrol in a NAS Short Course today!

Enrolments are open for our July – December 2026 programs, featuring short courses, weekend workshops and masterclasses.

With practical, studio-based learning across a range of disciplines, our courses support every stage of your creative journey – from beginners to established practitioners.

🔗 in bio to book.

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Photo:Nicole Anderson

‘Mitch Cairns: Artist’s Mouth’ is now open at the National Art School Gallery, Sydney @nas_au.

A joint project by NAS Gallery and Institute of Modern Art, the exhibition celebrates Cairns’ twenty year career, tracing his evolving influences from early student works to recent commissions. His playful paintings interweave elements of cubism, comics, and concrete poetry.

We are proud to host this significant presentation of Cairns’ work at the Institute of Modern Art this October.

Mitch Cairns: Artist’s Mouth
1 May – 11 July 2026
National Art School, Gadigal/Sydney

10 October– 20 December 2026
Institute of Modern Art, Meanjin/Brisbane

Installation views, NAS Gallery, Sydney: Zan Wimberley

‘Mitch Cairns: Artist’s Mouth’ is now open at the National Art School Gallery, Sydney @nas_au.

A joint project by NAS Gallery and Institute of Modern Art, the exhibition celebrates Cairns’ twenty year career, tracing his evolving influences from early student works to recent commissions. His playful paintings interweave elements of cubism, comics, and concrete poetry.

We are proud to host this significant presentation of Cairns’ work at the Institute of Modern Art this October.

Mitch Cairns: Artist’s Mouth
1 May – 11 July 2026
National Art School, Gadigal/Sydney

10 October– 20 December 2026
Institute of Modern Art, Meanjin/Brisbane

Installation views, NAS Gallery, Sydney: Zan Wimberley

‘Mitch Cairns: Artist’s Mouth’ is now open at the National Art School Gallery, Sydney @nas_au.

A joint project by NAS Gallery and Institute of Modern Art, the exhibition celebrates Cairns’ twenty year career, tracing his evolving influences from early student works to recent commissions. His playful paintings interweave elements of cubism, comics, and concrete poetry.

We are proud to host this significant presentation of Cairns’ work at the Institute of Modern Art this October.

Mitch Cairns: Artist’s Mouth
1 May – 11 July 2026
National Art School, Gadigal/Sydney

10 October– 20 December 2026
Institute of Modern Art, Meanjin/Brisbane

Installation views, NAS Gallery, Sydney: Zan Wimberley

‘Mitch Cairns: Artist’s Mouth’ is now open at the National Art School Gallery, Sydney @nas_au.

A joint project by NAS Gallery and Institute of Modern Art, the exhibition celebrates Cairns’ twenty year career, tracing his evolving influences from early student works to recent commissions. His playful paintings interweave elements of cubism, comics, and concrete poetry.

We are proud to host this significant presentation of Cairns’ work at the Institute of Modern Art this October.

Mitch Cairns: Artist’s Mouth
1 May – 11 July 2026
National Art School, Gadigal/Sydney

10 October– 20 December 2026
Institute of Modern Art, Meanjin/Brisbane

Installation views, NAS Gallery, Sydney: Zan Wimberley

A standout showing from the NAS community in the 2026 Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes, with nine finalists in this year’s Archibald Prize and a further 20 finalists across the Wynne and Sulman Prizes.

Special mention to Mitch Cairns, whose survey exhibition 'Artist’s Mouth' is currently showing at NAS Gallery in partnership with @instituteofmodernart.

All nominated works will be on display at @artgalleryofnsw from 9 May to 16 August. List of works in the comments.

—
All images © the artists. Images courtesy the artists and Art Gallery of New South Wales.

A standout showing from the NAS community in the 2026 Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes, with nine finalists in this year’s Archibald Prize and a further 20 finalists across the Wynne and Sulman Prizes.

Special mention to Mitch Cairns, whose survey exhibition 'Artist’s Mouth' is currently showing at NAS Gallery in partnership with @instituteofmodernart.

All nominated works will be on display at @artgalleryofnsw from 9 May to 16 August. List of works in the comments.

—
All images © the artists. Images courtesy the artists and Art Gallery of New South Wales.

A standout showing from the NAS community in the 2026 Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes, with nine finalists in this year’s Archibald Prize and a further 20 finalists across the Wynne and Sulman Prizes.

Special mention to Mitch Cairns, whose survey exhibition 'Artist’s Mouth' is currently showing at NAS Gallery in partnership with @instituteofmodernart.

All nominated works will be on display at @artgalleryofnsw from 9 May to 16 August. List of works in the comments.

—
All images © the artists. Images courtesy the artists and Art Gallery of New South Wales.

A standout showing from the NAS community in the 2026 Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes, with nine finalists in this year’s Archibald Prize and a further 20 finalists across the Wynne and Sulman Prizes.

Special mention to Mitch Cairns, whose survey exhibition 'Artist’s Mouth' is currently showing at NAS Gallery in partnership with @instituteofmodernart.

All nominated works will be on display at @artgalleryofnsw from 9 May to 16 August. List of works in the comments.

—
All images © the artists. Images courtesy the artists and Art Gallery of New South Wales.

A standout showing from the NAS community in the 2026 Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes, with nine finalists in this year’s Archibald Prize and a further 20 finalists across the Wynne and Sulman Prizes.

Special mention to Mitch Cairns, whose survey exhibition 'Artist’s Mouth' is currently showing at NAS Gallery in partnership with @instituteofmodernart.

All nominated works will be on display at @artgalleryofnsw from 9 May to 16 August. List of works in the comments.

—
All images © the artists. Images courtesy the artists and Art Gallery of New South Wales.

A standout showing from the NAS community in the 2026 Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes, with nine finalists in this year’s Archibald Prize and a further 20 finalists across the Wynne and Sulman Prizes.

Special mention to Mitch Cairns, whose survey exhibition 'Artist’s Mouth' is currently showing at NAS Gallery in partnership with @instituteofmodernart.

All nominated works will be on display at @artgalleryofnsw from 9 May to 16 August. List of works in the comments.

—
All images © the artists. Images courtesy the artists and Art Gallery of New South Wales.

A standout showing from the NAS community in the 2026 Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes, with nine finalists in this year’s Archibald Prize and a further 20 finalists across the Wynne and Sulman Prizes.

Special mention to Mitch Cairns, whose survey exhibition 'Artist’s Mouth' is currently showing at NAS Gallery in partnership with @instituteofmodernart.

All nominated works will be on display at @artgalleryofnsw from 9 May to 16 August. List of works in the comments.

—
All images © the artists. Images courtesy the artists and Art Gallery of New South Wales.

A standout showing from the NAS community in the 2026 Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes, with nine finalists in this year’s Archibald Prize and a further 20 finalists across the Wynne and Sulman Prizes.

Special mention to Mitch Cairns, whose survey exhibition 'Artist’s Mouth' is currently showing at NAS Gallery in partnership with @instituteofmodernart.

All nominated works will be on display at @artgalleryofnsw from 9 May to 16 August. List of works in the comments.

—
All images © the artists. Images courtesy the artists and Art Gallery of New South Wales.

A standout showing from the NAS community in the 2026 Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes, with nine finalists in this year’s Archibald Prize and a further 20 finalists across the Wynne and Sulman Prizes.

Special mention to Mitch Cairns, whose survey exhibition 'Artist’s Mouth' is currently showing at NAS Gallery in partnership with @instituteofmodernart.

All nominated works will be on display at @artgalleryofnsw from 9 May to 16 August. List of works in the comments.

—
All images © the artists. Images courtesy the artists and Art Gallery of New South Wales.

Congratulations to National Art School Alumni, Lucy Culliton who has won the Sir John Sulman Prize 2026 for her work ‘Toolah, artist model’!

Experience Culliton’s work alongwith all the finalists and winners in the ‘Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes 2026’ exhibition at @artgalleryofnsw, from 9 May to 16 August.

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Image: Lucy Culliton ‘Toolah, artist model’, 2026, detail, oil on canvas, 137.6 x 137.1 cm, courtesy the artists and Art Gallery of New South Wales, © the artist

Join the National Art School team!

We're recruiting an Executive Assistant to provide high-level administrative support to the CEO, ensuring effective coordination of priorities, communications and workflow management.

Learn more 🔗 in bio.

—
Photo: Chris Philips

Vale Bill Brown (1945–2026)

It is with great sadness that the National Art School acknowledges the passing of artist and teacher Bill Brown, a valued member of the community.

A graduate of the National Art School in 1967, Bill Brown went on to teach drawing and painting at the School from 1970 to 2009, shaping generations of students through his dedication to painting and careful observation. Working between abstraction and figuration, his paintings and drawings are held in major public collections, including the Art Gallery of New South Wales, National Gallery of Australia and the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia.

Deepest condolences are extended to his family, friends and loved ones. His significant contribution to the National Art School is acknowledged with gratitude, and he will be remembered with great respect and affection.

—
Bill Brown at the National Art School, 1980, Photo: Cameron Sparks, NAS Collection

STATE OF MIND ft. Mitch Cairns @nas_au

Mitch Cairns, 42 (he/him) is an artist based in Sydney, working primarily as a painter while exploring other interests alongside his practice. He graduated from the National Art School in 2006. He grew up in Casula, with family ties to the Northern Illawarra, and now lives in Sydney.

His upcoming exhibition, Artist’s Mouth, will be presented at the National Art School Gallery from 1 May to 11 July 2026. The exhibition marks two decades of his practice since graduating.

The show brings together paintings, works on paper, sculpture, and text-based pieces, presenting both earlier works and more recent ones. It offers a simple overview of how his practice has developed over time.

Full Interview
LINK IN BIO

Image credit

Slide 1: Mitch Cairns, Soliloquy Workshop, 2018, oil on linen, collection of Sonia Luton, Sydney, image courtesy the artist and The Commercial, Sydney © the artist, photograph: The Commercial

Slide 3: Mitch Cairns, Writer with Readers, 2025, oil on linen, private collection, Naarm/Melbourne, image courtesy the artist and The Commercial, Sydney © the artist, photograph: The Commercial

Slide 5: Mitch Cairns, Erato, 2025, oil on linen, private collection, Sydney, image courtesy the artist and The Commercial, Sydney © the artist, photograph: The Commercial

Slide 7: Mitch Cairns, NAS, 2015, oil on linen, private collection, Kamberri/Canberra, image courtesy the artist and The Commercial, Sydney © the artist, photograph: Jessica Maurer

#mitchcairns #stateofmind #draftmagazine

STATE OF MIND ft. Mitch Cairns @nas_au

Mitch Cairns, 42 (he/him) is an artist based in Sydney, working primarily as a painter while exploring other interests alongside his practice. He graduated from the National Art School in 2006. He grew up in Casula, with family ties to the Northern Illawarra, and now lives in Sydney.

His upcoming exhibition, Artist’s Mouth, will be presented at the National Art School Gallery from 1 May to 11 July 2026. The exhibition marks two decades of his practice since graduating.

The show brings together paintings, works on paper, sculpture, and text-based pieces, presenting both earlier works and more recent ones. It offers a simple overview of how his practice has developed over time.

Full Interview
LINK IN BIO

Image credit

Slide 1: Mitch Cairns, Soliloquy Workshop, 2018, oil on linen, collection of Sonia Luton, Sydney, image courtesy the artist and The Commercial, Sydney © the artist, photograph: The Commercial

Slide 3: Mitch Cairns, Writer with Readers, 2025, oil on linen, private collection, Naarm/Melbourne, image courtesy the artist and The Commercial, Sydney © the artist, photograph: The Commercial

Slide 5: Mitch Cairns, Erato, 2025, oil on linen, private collection, Sydney, image courtesy the artist and The Commercial, Sydney © the artist, photograph: The Commercial

Slide 7: Mitch Cairns, NAS, 2015, oil on linen, private collection, Kamberri/Canberra, image courtesy the artist and The Commercial, Sydney © the artist, photograph: Jessica Maurer

#mitchcairns #stateofmind #draftmagazine

STATE OF MIND ft. Mitch Cairns @nas_au

Mitch Cairns, 42 (he/him) is an artist based in Sydney, working primarily as a painter while exploring other interests alongside his practice. He graduated from the National Art School in 2006. He grew up in Casula, with family ties to the Northern Illawarra, and now lives in Sydney.

His upcoming exhibition, Artist’s Mouth, will be presented at the National Art School Gallery from 1 May to 11 July 2026. The exhibition marks two decades of his practice since graduating.

The show brings together paintings, works on paper, sculpture, and text-based pieces, presenting both earlier works and more recent ones. It offers a simple overview of how his practice has developed over time.

Full Interview
LINK IN BIO

Image credit

Slide 1: Mitch Cairns, Soliloquy Workshop, 2018, oil on linen, collection of Sonia Luton, Sydney, image courtesy the artist and The Commercial, Sydney © the artist, photograph: The Commercial

Slide 3: Mitch Cairns, Writer with Readers, 2025, oil on linen, private collection, Naarm/Melbourne, image courtesy the artist and The Commercial, Sydney © the artist, photograph: The Commercial

Slide 5: Mitch Cairns, Erato, 2025, oil on linen, private collection, Sydney, image courtesy the artist and The Commercial, Sydney © the artist, photograph: The Commercial

Slide 7: Mitch Cairns, NAS, 2015, oil on linen, private collection, Kamberri/Canberra, image courtesy the artist and The Commercial, Sydney © the artist, photograph: Jessica Maurer

#mitchcairns #stateofmind #draftmagazine

STATE OF MIND ft. Mitch Cairns @nas_au

Mitch Cairns, 42 (he/him) is an artist based in Sydney, working primarily as a painter while exploring other interests alongside his practice. He graduated from the National Art School in 2006. He grew up in Casula, with family ties to the Northern Illawarra, and now lives in Sydney.

His upcoming exhibition, Artist’s Mouth, will be presented at the National Art School Gallery from 1 May to 11 July 2026. The exhibition marks two decades of his practice since graduating.

The show brings together paintings, works on paper, sculpture, and text-based pieces, presenting both earlier works and more recent ones. It offers a simple overview of how his practice has developed over time.

Full Interview
LINK IN BIO

Image credit

Slide 1: Mitch Cairns, Soliloquy Workshop, 2018, oil on linen, collection of Sonia Luton, Sydney, image courtesy the artist and The Commercial, Sydney © the artist, photograph: The Commercial

Slide 3: Mitch Cairns, Writer with Readers, 2025, oil on linen, private collection, Naarm/Melbourne, image courtesy the artist and The Commercial, Sydney © the artist, photograph: The Commercial

Slide 5: Mitch Cairns, Erato, 2025, oil on linen, private collection, Sydney, image courtesy the artist and The Commercial, Sydney © the artist, photograph: The Commercial

Slide 7: Mitch Cairns, NAS, 2015, oil on linen, private collection, Kamberri/Canberra, image courtesy the artist and The Commercial, Sydney © the artist, photograph: Jessica Maurer

#mitchcairns #stateofmind #draftmagazine

STATE OF MIND ft. Mitch Cairns @nas_au

Mitch Cairns, 42 (he/him) is an artist based in Sydney, working primarily as a painter while exploring other interests alongside his practice. He graduated from the National Art School in 2006. He grew up in Casula, with family ties to the Northern Illawarra, and now lives in Sydney.

His upcoming exhibition, Artist’s Mouth, will be presented at the National Art School Gallery from 1 May to 11 July 2026. The exhibition marks two decades of his practice since graduating.

The show brings together paintings, works on paper, sculpture, and text-based pieces, presenting both earlier works and more recent ones. It offers a simple overview of how his practice has developed over time.

Full Interview
LINK IN BIO

Image credit

Slide 1: Mitch Cairns, Soliloquy Workshop, 2018, oil on linen, collection of Sonia Luton, Sydney, image courtesy the artist and The Commercial, Sydney © the artist, photograph: The Commercial

Slide 3: Mitch Cairns, Writer with Readers, 2025, oil on linen, private collection, Naarm/Melbourne, image courtesy the artist and The Commercial, Sydney © the artist, photograph: The Commercial

Slide 5: Mitch Cairns, Erato, 2025, oil on linen, private collection, Sydney, image courtesy the artist and The Commercial, Sydney © the artist, photograph: The Commercial

Slide 7: Mitch Cairns, NAS, 2015, oil on linen, private collection, Kamberri/Canberra, image courtesy the artist and The Commercial, Sydney © the artist, photograph: Jessica Maurer

#mitchcairns #stateofmind #draftmagazine

Join us this Thursday for the opening night of 'Mitch Cairns: Artist's Mouth'.

A joint project by NAS Gallery and @instituteofmodernart, this major exhibition is the largest and most comprehensive presentation of Sydney-based artist and NAS alum Mitch Cairns' work to date.

Thursday 30 April
6–9pm

—
Mitch Cairns, 'NAS', 2015, oil on linen, private collection, Kamberri/Canberra, image courtesy the artist and @thecommercial, Sydney © the artist, photo: Jessica Maurer

We're Hiring: Photomedia Lecturer
NAS is seeking an experienced artist-academic to fill a permanent, part-time Lecturer position in Photomedia. Support student learning across a range of analogue and digital Photomedia processes, contribute to curriculum, and be part of a collaborative academic community.

Link in bio to apply.