Fair Director’s picks: Brisbane 2026
Ahead of our Brisbane fair this May, we quizzed fair director, Georgia Huestis on the artworks she has her eye on this edition.
Paige Spurrell
Tuesday 21 April, 2026
Georgia Huestis is setting the tone for a seriously exciting Brisbane Fair this year. As Fair Director, she brings a sharp, contemporary curatorial eye, with a knack for choosing work that is engaging, and worth discovering. With years in the art world behind her, Georgia’s aim is to make art collecting feel approachable- whether you’re a seasoned buyer or just starting out this 7–10 May.
Under her direction, the Exhibition Building, Brisbane Showgrounds will transform into a vibrant creative hub, filled with an inspiring line-up of galleries from across Australia. Each gallery offers something distinct, ensuring there’s something to suit every taste and style. Whether you’re on the hunt for your next statement piece or simply want to soak up the atmosphere, there’s plenty to discover!
Let’s take a look at what Georgia is excited to see at our upcoming Brisbane Fair.
Lush Greens
Georgia’s first pick is this striking, abstracted landscape by Jess Baker, who will be exhibiting with Baker collection. Known for her bold, largescale artworks that command attention, Jess Baker creates one-of-a-kind pieces that bring movement and energy into a space. Her current collection of landscape artwork captures a sense of nostalgia, echoing the grassy, pastoral colours of the Australian landscape.
Noosa Art Gallery will be presenting the work of Julie Lucht de Freibruch, a local artist whose atmospheric paintings draw inspiration from Queensland’s lush tropical landscapes, nature and distinctive architecture. Working with bright acrylics, her style explores the contrast between natural and built environments, creating bold, graphic compositions that are rich in colour, energy and place.
“This year I find myself being really drawn to scenes of nature and I love just how clearly the energy of Jess’ process comes through in this expressive landscape. This is an entirely new series for Jess and it feels wonderfully fresh”
Pops of colour
Georgia has been drawn to bright pops of colour in artwork coming to Brisbane this year, choosing artwork from Thirteen 05 gallery and Wentworth Galleries.
Husband and Wife artists Struan Hopwood and Emma McAdam-Marmont, founders of Thirteen 05 Gallery, create graffiti and street based art, using composed figures, precise technique, and moments that don’t stay entirely controlled. Working both collaboratively and individually, their work is bright, bold, and designed to grab your attention.
Exhibiting with Wentworth Galleries, Johnny K’s unique interpretation of the Australian landscape never disappoints. He uses bright colours and unique materials like house paint, aerosol and oil on board, creating dynamic compositions that capture the spirit of the outback.
Think big
As Fair Director, Georgia’s advice is simple: save your pennies and use the fair as an opportunity to invest in a forever piece for your home. This Original Smith work from Greenbridge Gallery is exactly that!
Original Smith’s practice blends contemporary form with technology, working across a range of unexpected materials such as aerosol and acrylic. Using a flat-bed laser as part of his process, he creates finely detailed, etched surfaces that add depth and intensity to each piece.
“Just last month I visited Original Smith’s studio and was blown away by the considered way in which he works. Each painting is meticulous and so beautifully finished and framed. Monolith No. 333 is balanced, dynamic and as a triptych it has incredible wall power.“
Bird life
Birds have long been a source of inspiration of artists, and they continue to feature strongly at our Brisbane Fair!
Georgia is especially taken by this piece by Sophie Gralton from The Toowoomba Gallery, where, on closer look, a small bird rests on the shoulder of a young girl. Drawing on lived experience, Sophie works with figures to create pieces that draw upon personal narratives, family histories and the language of human vulnerability, creating artwork that sits at the intersection of nostalgia, reflection and resilience.
Alex Louisa is a still-life artist that works primarily with oil, acrylic, pan pastels and charcoal, taking influence from the natural world. An artist with Stevens Street Gallery, birds inspire Alex’s work, whether it be their wings, the tiny feathers around their mouth, or the way the light plays across their bodies. The magpie motif is ever-popular at our fairs, and this painting is no exception!
“Art is all about connection, and I immediately connected with this artwork as it reminded me of
my daughters. I’ve always loved Sophie’s paintings, particularly a piece she did
with a cheeky dachshund years ago. Seeing the blue budgie perched on the young girl’s
shoulder made me smile in the same way.”
Washes of blue
Blue can bring a calming presence to your walls, and Georgia has selected works that capture the vivid tones of the sky.
Exhibiting with Brisbane Art Co, Abbie White creates minimalist acrylic paintings that evoke soft, dreamlike scenes, designed to bring a sense of calm and stillness into the home.
“Abbie’s dreamy painting exudes a sense of calm and would feel like a point of rest in any home. I love that it so perfectly balances relaxation and vibrancy, with such vivid colour. I’m looking forward to experiencing the texture and gestural wash of the paint up close at the Brisbane Art Co booth at our Brisbane Fair.”
Similarly, Lynne Bickhoff from Moonah Gallery, draws on her connection to the natural environment of her home in Gippsland, Victoria. Inspired by the towering mountain ash tree, this artwork takes the perspective of someone looking upward towards the open sky, capturing a quiet sense of freedom and awe.
Down to earth
Earthy tones continue to find their way onto our walls, and Georgia has picked two artworks that reflect this shift.
We’re proud to partner with Artists of Ampilatwatja for the first time this year. Artist Julieanne Ngwarraye Morton’s work translates knowledge of Country through depictions of waterholes, soaks, sandhills, and native plants. Their work carries deep cultural meaning, expressed through a distinct and contemporary visual language.
Simone Read, founder of Pause Gallery, paints art that champions the Australian landscape, inviting you to look closer at the earthly textures and colours that feel distinctly like home. Her practice encourages you to contemplate, slow down, breathe, and reconnect with nature through art.
“In ‘My Country, My Bush Medicine’, Julieanne has painted a landscape that draws you right in. From a distance the painting commands attention, while up close it reveals an incredibly delicate layering of detail where each plant is different to the next, and each mark a reflection of deep connection to Country.”
Nature inspired
Georgia is drawn to the way that botanical artworks can add a peaceful sanctuary to your walls. Her final two picks highlight artists who seamlessly weave floral elements into their work.
Anna Carien Goosen, exhibiting with Ambedo Collective, is a Sydney-based artist whose practice blends figures with Australian flora and fauna. Her work draws on a long habit of sketching people, first developed whilst studying art in Pretoria. Her art brings together human subjects and natural elements to create quiet, reflective moments. The result – powerful visual sanctuaries for your home!
Hailing from Darug Country, Shirley Peters who’s work will be on display at Gallery NWC, paints with oils, acrylics and watercolour. This combination of material creates a free-flowing artwork style that is calm, considered and quietly immersive – an invitation to pause and escape.
That’s a wrap on Georgia’s top picks. Join us at Affordable Art Fair Brisbane from 7–10 May and explore an inspiring line-up of artworks across a range of styles, mediums, and price points. Secure your tickets now!
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