Parliament House Acquires Kellie Ward Artwork
The Australian Parliament House Art Collections has added a piece by artist Kellie Ward to its national collection.
Updated on Oct. 25, 2026 in Rodeo
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The Australian Parliament House Art Collections has acquired the artwork Cowgirls of Melbourne by artist Kellie Ward. This acquisition was facilitated through the institution's Rotational Art Collection selection process.
Why it matters
The piece was chosen to support the national collection's goal of featuring contemporary Australian art that reflects the character, culture, and identity of the nation.
The acquisition involves the 2026 work Cowgirls of Melbourne, sourced through the Brunswick Street Gallery. The piece is now held within the Parliament House Rotational Art Collection.
The players
Kellie Ward
An artist born in Lake Cargelligo who creates work under the name Kel Ward Art and operates Little Cottage Studio.
Australian Parliament House Art Collections
A national institution that maintains a collection of contemporary Australian art and craft representing the country's identity.
The details
Artist Kellie Ward, who creates work under the name Kel Ward Art, operates the Little Cottage Studio. The artwork was procured from the Brunswick Street Gallery to highlight regional artistic contributions.
Timeline
2026: Kellie Ward created the artwork Cowgirls of Melbourne.
Season Trajectory
The acquisition aligns with the broader mission of the Parliament House Rotational Art Collection to curate works that define the nation's contemporary character. This addition ensures the institutional programme continues to balance national representation with regional artistic perspectives.
The inclusion of this piece in the rotational collection means it may be displayed in parliamentary offices or public areas of the building in future rotations. Visitors to the site in Canberra can expect the collection to continue evolving as new selections are made.
The takeaway
This acquisition highlights the role of national institutions in preserving the work of regional Australian artists. Emerging artists can look toward institutional collections as a primary benchmark for professional recognition in the contemporary scene.
Further reading
Explore more cultural updates in the Rodeo section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Condobolin Argus.
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