Leading contemporary artist Abdul-Rahman Abdullah to headline Guildhouse masterclass and artist talk in Adelaide

Guildhouse is bringing one of Australia’s leading contemporary artists to Adelaide, offering a rare opportunity for the local creative community to learn directly from acclaimed sculptor Abdul-Rahman Abdullah.

Taking place on Saturday 9 May 2026, the program features a full-day professional masterclass followed by a special evening artist talk, giving South Australian artists, designers and makers the chance to gain practical insights into building and sustaining a creative career.

The masterclass will see Abdullah share firsthand knowledge of his career trajectory, unpacking the realities of working in the arts while offering practical strategies to help creatives strengthen and sustain their professional practice. Suitable for emerging, mid-career and established practitioners, the session is designed to provide tangible tools alongside broader industry insight.

Guildhouse CEO Beth Neate says opportunities like this are vital for nurturing a strong and sustainable arts sector.

“Building a long-term professional career as an artist requires strategy and insights. This is why exchange with other artists is absolutely vital for fostering and sustaining a vibrant and resilient visual arts sector,” she says.

“Opportunities to hear directly from established artists such as Abdul-Rahman Abdullah are transformative for creative practitioners seeking to advance their careers and build a sustainable artistic practice.”

In the evening, Abdullah will be joined by Adelaide-based sculptor Georgina Mills for a special in-conversation event at the Art Gallery of South Australia. The discussion will reflect on their collaboration through the Guildhouse Catapult Mentorship (2025), exploring the role mentorship plays in shaping artistic practice.

“Guildhouse is proud to offer this exceptional experience for South Australian visual artists, craft practitioners and designers, and the broader visual arts community,” Neate adds.

“We are also delighted to reunite Abdul-Rahman Abdullah with his mentee, the extraordinarily talented local sculptor Georgina Mills, for what will be a fascinating conversation.”

Based on Wadjuk Nyungar country, Abdullah is recognised nationally and internationally for his sculptural and installation work, which explores identity, culture and the natural world through deeply considered storytelling and technical precision.

The event also celebrates the impact of Guildhouse’s Catapult Mentorship Program, which has supported more than 70 South Australian artists through artist-to-artist mentorship opportunities.

With places strictly limited for both the masterclass and artist talk, early bookings are strongly encouraged.