CALL FOR ENTRIES
THE ART GALLERY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA (AGWA) 2027 WA ART SOCIETIES EXHIBITION – WASA PRE-SELECTION OF ARTWORKS

The WASA Committee invites all WASA members to submit up to 2 of their best artworks created in the last 5 years for a pre-selection for the long-anticipated Art Gallery of Western Australia (AGWA) 2027 Exhibition showcasing contemporary art created in Western Australia by professional and non-professional artists affiliated with WA art societies.

ARTWORK AT THIS STAGE DOES NOT NEED TO FOLLOW THE AGWA GUIDELINES
Both 2D and 3D works are acceptable in any medium or size. No entry forms will be needed at this time. Artists should deliver their artworks directly to the Metamorphosis Gallery in Willetton (Unit 7, 16 Yampi Way, Willetton WA) on the following dates: 17, 18 and 19 December 2026. Artworks should be provided with a label on the back of each art piece, containing the artist’s name, the work’s title, medium, and the year the artwork was created.

An independent panel of three judges will be commissioned by WASA to conduct the pre-selection of WASA’s artworks on 20th December 26. Shortlisted artists will be notified on 21 December, and all artists will be able to collect their art in the following week(s).

IF YOU ARE SELECTED – PLEASE BE PREPARED TO FOLLOW THE AGWA GUIDELINES BELOW.

WASA’s shortlisted artworks should comply with the AGWA artwork exhibiting requirements, which is for your information

AGWA will conduct their own selection amongst the WASA shortlisted works on January 27. Artworks failing to make the AGWA Shortlist will be displayed at the Salon des Refusés exhibition organised by WASA and the other art societies. WASA is currently securing exhibition space for this concurrent exhibition.
The WASA Committee looks forward to receiving your artworks on the nominated dates and wishes every participant an enjoyable experience through this process. 

Tanya Izzard
President
West Australian Society of Arts

AGWA GUIDELINES

ARTWORK DISPLAY GUIDELINES

The Art Gallery of Western Australia

A guide for ensuring artworks exhibited at the Art Gallery of Western Australia are suitable for display.

Purpose

These guidelines outline the minimum display, framing, mounting and packing requirements for artworks exhibited at the Art Gallery of Western Australia (AGWA).

Proper preparation of artworks helps ensure the safety of the artwork, Gallery staff, visitors, and surrounding artworks while on display and during transportation. Meeting these requirements also assists with efficient installation and deinstallation processes.

We strongly recommend that Artists consult professional framers, conservators, fabricators, or installers where appropriate.

General Display Standards

Artwork Condition

All artworks submitted for exhibition should:

• Be clean and stable.
• Be free from active mould, insect infestation, excessive dust, loose debris, or strong odours.
• Have no loose components likely to detach during transport or display.
• Be structurally sound and capable of being safely stored, transported and installed.
• Be complete and exhibition ready upon delivery.

Display Standards for Artwork Types

Works on Paper

• Condition of paper should be stable for exhibition display.
• Works should be professionally framed or mounted as per requirements outlined on page 3.
• Frames should be clean, undamaged, and free from visible wear.

Paintings

• Canvas should be evenly tensioned with no sagging or distortion.
• Ensure all paint and varnishes are fully cured and no longer tacky.
• Stretchers must be rigid.
• Corners must be secure.
• Large works may require cross-bracing.

Three-Dimensional Artworks

• Should stand securely and remain stable throughout display.
• Be capable of safe handling by AGWA Conservation and Installation staff.
• Works such as textiles that are to be hung must include a hanging mechanism.

Artists must confirm display instructions for three-dimensional artworks in advance. For example, ‘artwork is to be displayed on a plinth’ or ‘artwork is to be suspended in the gallery space’.

Using this information, AGWA Conservation Staff will work in consultation with the artist to determine the most appropriate and safest display solution.

Restricted Materials

To protect Gallery visitors, staff and artworks, AGWA may restrict certain materials from display. AGWA will work with the artist to enable display where possible, however, below are materials that require pre-approval and display consultation in advance: 

• Organic materials.
• Food products.
• Soil and plant material.
• Liquids.

Materials Not Normally Accepted

• Hazardous chemicals.
• Biohazardous materials.
• Materials likely to attract insects or pests.
• Sharp materials.

Framing Requirements

AGWA requires that artworks on paper be professionally framed and/or mounted for display.

Avoid low-quality ready-made frames (e.g. Ikea, Officeworks) intended for domestic use. These frames are frequently unable to support Gallery hanging systems and may fail during installation or display. Good quality temporary frames may be used if professional framing is not possible, but they must meet the requirements below.

Frame Moulding

• Must be sturdy and wide enough to receive D‑rings from which AGWA hang the artworks, refer to page 5 for information on D-rings.
• Frames for heavier works require bracing at the corners to provide stability.

Glazing

• Acrylic is highly recommended to protect against the most damaging light and from damage caused by touching by visitors to the gallery.
• Acrylics such as Perspex™ are useful because they are light and unlikely to break on impact. However, these materials do scratch more easily and because of static, should not be used to glaze pastels, chalks, charcoal, or any other friable material.
• If the media is friable, we do accept good quality framing glass that is fully secured into the frame.

Frame depth

• The frame needs to have enough depth in the rebate to accommodate the glazing, window mount, under-mount, isolating layer and the backboard, and the strength to take hanging fittings.
• D-rings must be secured to the frame, not the backboard.

Mounting materials

• Use a standard mountboard or museum quality board for mounting for your artwork. Your professional framer can recommend stable and cost-effective options.
• We do not recommend mounting works to Fomecore® or similar light weight foam board as these types of boards are prone to warping while on display.
• If no window mount, glazing must be spaced away from the picture surface.

Attachment

• Artwork should be hinged to the under‑mount using hinges.

Backboard

• A backboard should be placed and sealed into the back of the frame. Backboards can be made of a stiff card or cardboard.

Sealing

• Frame should be sealed with gummed paper tape.

Hanging devices

• Frames are hung using AGWA’s standard two point hanging system.
• AGWA hangs artworks using double screw D-rings which are attached onto the frame using screws.
• AGWA does not hang artworks from wires, strings, or split batons.

Paintings

• Paintings on thin board or panel (<less than 1cm depth) should ideally be framed (refer page 3 for framing requirements). Hanging fixtures with small depth screws fitted to materials such as MDF and Masonite will be deemed unsuitable.
• Alternatively, such artworks can be float mounted on the wall with pressure pins or clips if unframed is intentional, please notify AGWA in advance if this is the case.

Alternatives to Framing – Mounting

There are some artworks, such as digital prints, where framing is not the best display option. AGWA accepts works that have been professionally block mounted (marouflage) onto a solid core using a cold mount adhesive.

Block Mounting

• The board needs to have enough depth to receive D-rings into the back of the board.
• It must be understood that block mounting is a permanent mounting method and the artwork cannot be removed from the board.
• It must be understood that the surface of the block mounted work is vulnerable to damage caused by touching while on display.
• Straight edge board is easier to display and hang on the wall.

Unframed Works on Paper

If it is integral to the artworks intended display, unframed works on paper may be accepted where:

• Edge finishes are complete.
  • The paper can withstand public exhibition conditions.

Please notify AGWA in advance if this is the case, so the most appropriate and safest display solution can be arranged in consultation with the artist. 

Hanging Fixtures and Installation

Approved Hanging Systems

AGWA uses a standard two-point hanging system attached directly to the artwork or frame to enable safe display of the artwork over the exhibition period. AGWA does not hang artworks from wires, strings, or split batons to avoid risk of damage to artworks while on display. 

Preferred Fixtures

• Double screw D-rings.

Double screw D-rings

AGWA uses double screw D-rings to hang two-dimensional works such as paintings and framed works on paper. D-rings should be attached to the backside of the work and:

• be pointed upwards in vertical formation.
• be fitted ~5cm from top edge for works with a height less than 80cm.
• be fitted ~10cm from top edge for works with a height greater than 80cm.

Fixtures That Will Not Be Accepted

• Hanging fixtures with small depth screws.
• String.
• Picture wire.
• Lightweight adhesive hooks.
• Damaged or corroded fittings.
• Split battens unless approved by AGWA Conservation in advance.

Weight Considerations

Heavy artworks may require additional fixing points, reinforced frames, custom mounting systems and installation planning with AGWA Conservation staff. If the artwork is heavy, please notify AGWA in advance so the most appropriate and safest display solution can be arranged in consultation with the artist. 

Packing Requirements

General Packing Standards

All artworks should arrive suitably packed for transport and storage. Adequate packing should protect surfaces from abrasion, protect corners and edges, prevent movement within packaging and withstand multiple handling events and time in storage.

Please note any friable or vulnerable surface media such as chalk/pastel, charcoal, oil pastel, ochre, plaster. Works with vulnerable surface media should be wrapped using materials that will not smudge or abrade.

Recommended Packing Materials

• Tyvek
• Glassine for works with friable surface media.
• Bubble wrap.
• Corflute.
• Conservation card.
• Travel frames and crates for high-value works.

Materials to Avoid

• Newspaper in direct contact with artworks.
• Packing tape directly on artwork surfaces.
• Loose polystyrene beads.
• Materials that shed fibres or residue.

Two-Dimensional Works (paintings, framed or mounted works on paper)

AGWA recommends that 2D works are packed and transported as below:

• Protective interleaving such as Tyvek for paintings and glassine for works with friable surfaces (e.g. exposed pencil or charcoal drawing).
• Have impact protection such bubble wrap overprotective interleaving.
• Have corner protection.
• Be securely wrapped.
• Travel upright whenever possible and securely strapped in place.

Three-Dimensional Works (object based works such as sculptures, ceramics and textiles)

3D works come in many shapes and sizes, therefor packing for artworks of this nature can greatly vary in approach and materials. AGWA recommends the below general rules for packing and transport of 3D works:

• Be immobilised within packaging.
• Have impact protection.
• Include support structures where necessary.
• Be packed according to their specific vulnerabilities.
• Travel securely or strapped in place.

If unsure of the best packing approach for a 3D artwork, AGWA can advise on appropriate packing solutions for complex objects.

Artwork Information

Below is the artwork information AGWA requires to assess an artwork’s suitability for display:

Further Information

If you are unsure whether your artwork meets AGWA’s display requirements, please contact the Gallery prior to framing, fabrication, packing, or delivery. Early consultation can help avoid costly alterations and ensure the safest possible display outcome for your artwork and others within the exhibition environment.