Freelands Painting Prize 2026 Exhibition

This exhibition brings together the work of twelve artists who have recently graduated from art schools and universities across the UK – celebrating fresh perspectives and ambitious new work, while offering a glimpse into the future of contemporary painting. 

Launched in 2020, the Freelands Painting Prize champions outstanding painting practice and its teaching. Each year, the programme invites every institution in the UK offering an undergraduate course in Fine Art or Painting to nominate one of their final-year students for the prize. In turn, our independent jury of artists, educators and arts professionals – Christina Kimeze (Artist), Eliza Gluckman (Director, UK Government Art Collection), and Matthew de Kersaint Giraudeau (Artist & MA Fine Art Sculpture Course Leader, Camberwell College of Arts, UAL) –shortlists the artists who will participate in our annual exhibition in London. 

This year, for the first time, a winner will be selected amongst the exhibiting artists who will receive a consultation and £1,000 worth of art materials from our partner Wallace Seymour, makers of high-quality painting and drawing materials. The winner of the Freelands Painting Prize 2026 is Charli-Ann Padilla from University of the West of England.

Currently in its 7^th iteration, the prize receives entries from the majority of eligible art schools, allowing the exhibition to offer a broad and timely insight into how painting is taught, understood and practised in UK art schools.

• Charli-Ann Padilla, University of the West of England.  ⭐

• Dexter Landesman-Chung, City & Guilds of London Art School. 

• Karlien De Mot, The Art Academy, London. 

• Lucy Grant, Winchester School of Art, University of Southampton. 

• Molly Tomlinson, University of Northampton. 

• Naomi Ashall, University of Chichester. 

• Rajesh Bhovan, Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London. 

• Richie Batchelor, Coventry University. 

• Robert McLeod, University of Salford. 

• Sandy Kiralawella, Newcastle University. 

• Topaz Joelle, University of Lincoln. 

• Yuchen Zhan, University of Brighton.

Find out more about the artists' practice in our long-read: 'Between the Question and the Answer', by Matthew de Kersaint Giraudeau.

Discover the reading's recommended by each of the shortlisted exhibiting artists by scrolling to the Reading List at the bottom of the page.

Exhibition Walk-Through 
Saturday 24 October, 2 -3.30pm
Freelands Foundation Curator Rosie Hermon will be joined by members of this year’s Painting Prize jury, and participating artists. Together, they will offer a deeper understanding of the exhibited artworks, with the artists sharing their reflections on their work and practice. 
Free to attend. Register here. 

Panel Talk: The Matter of Painting
Wednesday 28 October, 6.30-8.30pm
This panel brings together artists that engage with the materiality of paint and painting in different ways: as paint fabricators, within expanded material practices, and as educators. The panellists will reflect on their own engagement with paint and painting in the wider context of the Painting Prize. They will discuss the material qualities of paint and how this is explored through the work on display, and consider how the teaching of painting can support material enquiry and expanded material thinking.
Free to attend. Register here.

Introduction to the Painting Prize
Every Wednesday and Friday, 1pm
Drop in for an informal introduction to the exhibition.

Please note, curator-led tours for higher education groups are available on request. Email [email protected] to arrange. 

Exhibition opening times:
7 – 31 October 2026.
Wednesday–Saturday, 12–6pm.
Free and open to all. No booking required. 

Address:
Freelands Foundation   
12 Errol Street   
London, EC1Y 8LX 
For exact location, use what3words:timing.settle.handle  

Accessibility:
Find our full visitor information details at freelandsfoundation.co.uk/visit  

Should you have any access requirements ahead of your visit, please contact us via [email protected] or (+44) 020 3598 7081.