Since 2002, the Waterhouse Natural Science Art Prize has invited established and emerging artists to turn their gaze toward the natural world. Named after the South Australian Museum’s first curator, Frederick George Waterhouse, this biennial prize celebrates the long standing dialogue between scientific research and the creative arts—spanning early illustrators and sculptors who documented the natural environment, through to contemporary artists who challenge us to reflect on ecology, climate, and our impact on the landscapes we inhabit.
We are delighted to congratulate Holly Grace, finalist in the Open Prize, and LeShaye Swan, finalist in the Emerging Artists Prize. Their thoughtful and deeply personal engagements with the natural world sit beautifully within the spirit of this important award.
Holly has recently delivered a series of exquisite new blown glass artworks to the gallery (catalogue link above). Reflecting on her shortlisted piece, she writes:
In remote sections of the Jagungal Wilderness a smoke haze forms—a constant reminder of fires nearby and far away, and a reflection of the dangers that summer now represents. Through the haze I see tall outlines of alpine ash and snow gums, remnants of fires past, with ravens as their lonely sentinels. This artwork is a geographical journey and personal memoir of recent walks through Kosciuszko National Park, documenting nature’s struggle to recover from the severity of the Black Summer fires of 2020. I seek to recreate moments in nature, a fragile beauty in the aftermath of such devastation.
We are also thrilled to acknowledge the exceptional emerging talent of LeShaye Swan, who will present her first solo exhibition at SABBIA in July 2026 (expression of interest link above). Speaking about her shortlisted artwork, LeShaye shares:
As a child growing up in Mimili community we were taught about the native foods that grew around us. The bush bananas were grown in the Bush Garden that housed so many native plants for us to pick, and I have strong memories of forging paths barefoot to collect bush bananas in our shirts as kids, to take to Elders to cook and eat. These memories hold generational Indigenous knowledge of Country and natural resources—wisdom that continues to sustain communities to this day.
The 2026 Waterhouse exhibition will take place at the South Australian Museum from 10 April until 19 July 2026, and the winners announced on 9 April.
