Freelands Painting Prize 2026 Exhibition Walkthrough

Join Freelands Foundation Curator Rosie Hermon and members of this year’s Freelands Painting Prize jury Eliza Gluckman and Matthew de Kersaint Giraudeau, alongside participating artists for a guided walkthrough of the Painting Prize 2026 exhibition. Together, they will offer a deeper understanding of the exhibited artworks, with the artists sharing their reflections on their work and practice. The Freelands Painting Prize 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. About the contributors Eliza Gluckman has been Director of the Government Art Collection since January 2022. She was Deputy Director and Senior Curator from 2018. Previously she was Curator of the New Hall Art Collection (now The Women's Art Collection) at Murray Edwards College, University of Cambridge, the largest collection of works by women in Europe. She is a trustee for Block 336, an artist-run space in Brixton, South London. Matthew de Kersaint Giraudeau (b. 1985, Colchester, Essex) is an artist working across moving image, drawing, performance and sculpture. He is Pathway Leader for MA Fine Art: Sculpture at Camberwell College of Arts. He studied at Northumbria University, Open School East, and is completing a practice-based PhD in art and performance at Kingston School of Art. He has exhibited internationally at venues including MoMA PS1, Barbican, ICA London and Serpentine Galleries. Awards include support from Arts Council England, Jerwood Foundation, Modern Art Oxford and Open School East. His writing has appeared in Performance Research, Corridor8 and Sluice Magazine, and his work has been featured in publications by Condé Nast and Chateau international. Shortlisted artists 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. About the programme The Freelands Painting Prize celebrates outstanding painting by final-year undergraduate artists attending art schools and universities across the UK. The winner is announced in Autumn, at the opening of an exhibition of works by all of the shortlisted artists’ work at the Foundation’s home in London. They receive a prize from Freelands Painting Prize partners, Wallace Seymour, makers of high-quality painting and drawing materials, of a consultation and £1,000 worth of materials.