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Brisbane is getting an art exhibition where every item is on sale for just $100, whether the artist is famous or a rank amateur.
The only catch is you won’t know who they are until you’ve handed over your money.
The picture you’ve bought could be by a big name whose works usually go for thousands of dollars, or it could be by an enthusiastic child.
The event is the Incognito Art Show, making its Brisbane debut in 2026 with more than 12,000 pictures for sale on Saturday, July 25.
“It’s first in, best dressed,” co-founder Dave Liston said. “The first person at the door at 8am gets the pick of the bunch.
“You’re limited to buying three artworks, and every artwork is $100.”
Each year Incognito Art Show invites submissions on its website and everyone who signs up receives three A5 cards on which to create art.
Submissions get a unique code and are displayed online before the sale day. In Brisbane, the works can be viewed in person in the week leading up to the sale.
The artist’s name, and often a personal message, can be found on the back of the picture after purchase.
Profits are donated to organisations that support artists with disability.
Liston, from Glen Innes, NSW, got the idea from Ireland’s Incognito Art Show, which has sold art by Bruce Springsteen, Bono, Tracey Emin and Ronnie Wood.
“I bought three little Irish landscapes that reminded me of my time there for €60 each,” Liston said.
He launched his own version in Sydney in 2020 with his brother Ed and artist Laura Jones. They received 1800 submissions in the first year and the numbers have grown exponentially since – this year they got 39,000.
Sydney’s latest show wrapped up in June, and Brisbane will be the first new city they’ve shown in. The show travels to Townsville in August.
To hang so many artworks, Liston is using lightweight metal walling – “similar to what refrigerators use” – and thousands of small magnets.
“We’ve even manufactured a magnet gun to sort of shoot them onto the wall,” he said.
Artworks are sold unframed, but a bespoke high-quality frame can be purchased on the day for $100.
Three recent Archibald Prize winners – Jones (2024), Julia Gutman (2023) and Blak Douglas (2022) – are all exhibiting incognito artwork in Brisbane, as are 14 artists who were finalists in the 2026 Archibald and Wynne Prizes.
Brisbane’s Tony Albert, who has a major retrospective running at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney, said he had three pieces in the Incognito Art Show.
“I submit every year, I’ve been a big supporter for a number of years,” he said.
“It’s the fun element – you don’t know what work you’re getting. Although keen eyes might be able to deduct who they are.”
The proceeds from the Brisbane show will go to Yeronga-based organisation Access Arts, which creates opportunities for artists experiencing disability.
Access Arts manager Tim Brown said the donation would help more than 60 artists at the studio.
“What we are hoping to be able to achieve through receiving this gift is to work with the broader Queensland arts sector to program some professional-level exhibitions,” he said.
Liston said while the event was an opportunity to own a piece by a major artist, the sheer range of works made it easy for anyone to find something they would love.
“So if you love the Gold Coast, there’ll be 20 Gold Coast beaches. If you’ve got a friend that loves her Labrador, there will be Labradors there. If you like blue cats, there’ll be a blue cat.
“If you can think of it, it’s there.”
Incognito Art Show is on display July 21-25 at Long Island, 1 Gasworks Lane, Newstead. Sale day is on Saturday, July 25, from 8am.
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Nick Dent is a Culture Reporter at Brisbane Times, covering arts, entertainment and things to do in the city.Connect via email.From our partners
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