Newstead Art Show Unveils 12,000 Mystery Pieces for $100
Newstead is set to host a massive art event where every single piece sells for exactly $100, regardless of the artist’s fame. The Incognito Art Show makes its Brisbane debut this weekend, bringing over 12,000 anonymous artworks to Long Island.
Organisers say the catch is that buyers won’t know who created the work until after they hand over the cash. A purchase could be a masterpiece by a world-renowned name or a charming piece by a first-time creator. The event runs from July 21 to July 25, with the main sale day falling on Saturday, July 25.
How the Mystery Sale Works
Co-founder Dave Liston explains that the first person through the door at 8am on Saturday gets the best pick of the bunch. “It’s first in, best dressed,” Liston said. Buyers are limited to purchasing three artworks, with each item priced at a flat $100.
The show features submissions from 39,000 artists this year. Participants receive three A5 cards to create their art, which are then displayed online and in person at the venue. The identity of the artist, and often a personal message, remains hidden on the back of the piece until the moment of purchase.
While the artworks are sold unframed, visitors can buy a bespoke high-quality frame on the day for another $100. The organisers are using lightweight metal walling and a custom-made magnet gun to hang the thousands of pieces.
Big Names and Local Talent
The lineup includes three recent Archibald Prize winners: Jones (2024), Julia Gutman (2023), and Blak Douglas (2022). Fourteen artists who were finalists in the 2026 Archibald and Wynne Prizes are also exhibiting.
Brisbane’s Tony Albert, who has a major retrospective running at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney, is participating. “I submit every year, I’ve been a big supporter for a number of years,” Albert said. He noted that the fun element lies in not knowing what you are getting, though “keen eyes might be able to deduct who they are.”
Co-founder Dave Liston, who launched the concept in Sydney in 2020 with his brother Ed Liston, said the range of works ensures everyone finds something they love. “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,” he said.
Proceeds Support Disability Arts
All profits from the Brisbane show will go to Access Arts, a Yeronga-based organisation that creates opportunities for artists with 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,” Brown said.
The Incognito Art Show is currently on display at Long Island, 1 Gasworks Lane, Newstead. The sale day runs from 8am on Saturday, July 25.
