The West Australian Pulse 2026
Lisa Ho Made in Australia 2025. Earthenware, cobalt, timber, coloured pencil on paper, two parts: 90 x 50 x 1.2 cm; 101.5 x 82.5 cm. Santa Maria College. Photo: Christophe Canato.
Pulse Acquisitive Art Award 2026
Investing in the next generation of Western Australian artists
Congratulations to emerging West Australian artist Lisa Ho who has won the Pulse Acquisitive Art Award 2026 for her work Made in Australia.
The $3,000 award, a joint initiative between The Art Gallery of Western Australia and Department of Creative Industries, Tourism and Sport, reflects a shared commitment to championing the achievements of emerging artists.
Made in Australia – part of The West Australian Pulse 2026 – has now been acquired by the Department.
Lisa Ho is a graduate from Santa Maria College and said her piece explores the tension she experiences as an Australian of Chinese Malaysian heritage, and the questions of belonging that arose from being raised differently to her peers as the child of immigrants.
Tour the Exhibition
Awards
The West Australian Pulse 2026 Editor’s Choice Award
Selected by Christopher Dore, Editor-in-Chief and Sarah-Jane Tasker, Editor of The West Australian Newspapers, in consultation with a selection of exhibitors from last year’s The West Australian Pulse 2025, the Award recipient receives $2,500.
WINNER – Kira Landuyt Dear Saigon, From, Ho Chi Minh 2025. Oil, egg shell, silk, satin, rope and resin on board, 60 x 126 x 5 cm. Butler College.
The West Australian Pulse 2026 Catalyst – Young Visual Artist Award
Selected by Art Education Association of Western Australia judging panel, the award recipient receives $2,500. Sponsored by Art Education Association of Western Australia.
WINNER – Chloe Haagman Anagram 2025. Coloured pencil on paper, video, eight parts: 62 x 50 cm (each); 1 minute 16 seconds. Iona Presentation College.
The West Australian Pulse 2026 People’s Choice Award
Visitors to this year’s exhibition were encouraged to vote for their favourite work in The West Australian People’s Choice Award. Voting has now closed and the winner will be announced on Saturday 29 August. The student artist whose work receives the most votes will receive $2,500. The school the artist attended will receive an AGWA workshop and tour package. And one lucky voter will win a $100 AGWA Design Store voucher.
WINNER – Yuvan Muthusami The Last Embrace 2025. Ink on paper, 45 x 64 cm. Bob Hawke College.
Catalogue
View this year’s exhibition publication.
Exhibition Labels
Download The West Australian Pulse 2026 Artwork Labels
Sensory Map
Download The West Australian Pulse 2026 Sensory and Access Map
