George Watson: Jann Medlicott Award for Contemporary Art Exhibition

George Watson is the recipient of the 2026 Jann Medlicott Award for Contemporary Art. 

Based in Tūranganui-a-Kiwa, with Ngāti Porou and Ngāti Mutunga whakapapa and Moriori hokopapa, George holds a Bachelor of Media Arts from Waikato Institute of Technology, an Honours in Art History from the University of Auckland, and an MFA from Elam School of Fine Arts. In 2019. She completed the Maumaus Independent Study Programme in Lisbon, Portugal. In 2024, George was an artist-in-residence at the McCahon House Artist Residency.

She has participated in significant group exhibitions, including: What thrives on these soils, Hastings Art Gallery Te Whare Toi o Heretaunga (2025); Like a broth, like a cure, The Physics Room, Christchurch (2024); Aotearoa Contemporary, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki (2023); and Hau Whakatonu, Govett Brewster Art Gallery, Ngāmotu New Plymouth (2023). Recent solo exhibitions include: Apologia, Robert Heald, Wellington (2025); and The Farm, Coastal Signs, Auckland (2025).

Image: courtesy of Tink Lockett and the artist

Naming Partner: The Pitau