South Australian artist Billie Justice Thomson has been revealed as the winner of the 2026 Adelaide Fringe Poster Competition with her bold artwork Cockatoo Call capturing the heartbeat of the festival: a joyful collision of people, performance, and creative energy.
Thomson’s design features a striking cockatoo in full flight – a cheeky, unmistakably Australian symbol of curiosity and chaos. The artwork captures the raucous joy of Adelaide Fringe, echoing the sound and movement of a city alive with creativity. Like a flock of cockatoos descending at dusk, the festival fills every space with colour, conversation and unbridled energy.
As the official symbol of Adelaide Fringe 2026, the artwork will now appear across South Australia, online and around the world, heralding the season ahead for Australia’s biggest arts festival. The Adelaide Fringe Poster Competition is proudly supported by Lumo Energy, who this year provide the $10,000 prize to the winning artist.
“Billie’s artwork leaps off the page – it’s bold, joyful and instantly captures that unmistakable Fringe feeling. Every year the poster becomes a window into the festival’s spirit, and Billie’s design celebrates connection, creativity and community in a way that feels completely her own,” said Adelaide Fringe Director and CEO, Heather Croall.
“It’s been a dream of mine since childhood to win the Fringe poster competition. I’ve been entering for years, so to finally have my artwork chosen feels incredibly special,” said 2026 Poster Competition Winner, Billie Justice Thomson.
“I wanted the poster to feel loud – in the best possible way. Cockatoos have that wild, social energy that reminds me of the Fringe – they turn up everywhere, they make a bit of noise, and they bring life with them. That’s exactly what I love about this festival.”
Known for her hyperreal paintings and nostalgic flair, Thomson has built a reputation for celebrating the beauty in the familiar – from stunning botanicals to the hidden details of suburban life. Her Adelaide Fringe design channels that sensibility into a story of collective joy and artistic freedom.
“The Adelaide Fringe poster is always a moment, it’s the first glimpse of the season to come, and this year’s design is nothing short of electric. Billie Justice Thomson has created an image that will stop people in their tracks and remind them why Fringe is such a special part of our state’s identity,” said South Australian Minister for Arts, Andrea Michaels.
Each year, artists from around the world submit their work to become the visual signature of Adelaide Fringe. Today’s reveal marks the first major milestone of the 2026 season – one that will see thousands of artists, venues and audiences once again transform Adelaide into a playground of imagination and possibility.
The 2026 Adelaide Fringe runs 20 February – 22 March. For more information, visit: www.adelaidefringe.com.au for details.
Image: 2026 Adelaide Fringe Poster Cockatoo Call by Billie Justice Thomson (supplied)