The Adelaide Fringe 2027 poster has been revealed, and it’s a beauty. Adelaide-based illustrator Cécile Gariépy has won the poster competition with a colourful cast of hand-shaped clay characters that celebrate the theme ‘Fringe for everyBODY’.
Gariépy joins a long line of artists whose work has welcomed audiences to Fringe and helped shape South Australia’s cultural story. Her winning artwork brings together figures that reflect the diversity of real bodies, their pressed and pinched forms retaining the marks of their making. Laughing, playing and reaching towards one another, they celebrate the connections between the people on stage, in the audience and behind the scenes.
Adelaide audiences may already recognise Gariépy’s work in murals in Blackwood and at Brightstar Brewing in Thebarton. With more than 15 years of experience, she has worked with The New York Times, international publishers and cultural institutions. Her practice spans editorial and commercial illustration, publishing, public art and large-scale murals.
“When reading the brief for the 2027 Fringe poster, my immediate thoughts went to building something with clay,” Gariépy said. “There was something about the material that felt right straight away: it’s tactile, imperfect, and shaped entirely by hand, qualities that helped me create figures reflecting the diversity of real bodies.”
“I’ve always loved making characters that feel wonky and human, and clay let me take that desire further. All the characters carry the marks of being pressed and pinched into form. Their imperfections aren’t flaws; they’re the point.”
A record number of entries
The 2027 competition attracted 360 entries, including 281 from South Australia and 24 international entries from 13 countries. Gariépy receives a $10,000 cash prize thanks to Adelaide University, as well as free artist registration held for her to use in 2028.
Adelaide Fringe CEO Marc Carnes said there’s something special about seeing a new Fringe poster for the first time. “It’s a little invitation to start imagining the events you’ll see, the people you’ll go with and the experiences you haven’t discovered yet,” he said.
“Cécile’s work finds so much personality in people and the ways we connect. That’s a lovely starting point for ‘Fringe for everyBODY’, because Fringe is made by all of us, whether we’re on stage, behind the scenes or in the audience.”
A fresh new look for 2027
The winning artwork will feature across Adelaide Fringe posters, signage, digital channels, merchandise and marketing materials. Gariépy’s poster also arrives alongside a vibrant brand refresh for Adelaide Fringe, setting the tone for a fresh new look that audiences will see across all things Fringe from the 2027 season.
To celebrate the poster reveal, Adelaide Fringe is offering 25% off Fringe Memberships for 24 hours. To receive the discount code, sign up to Fringe eNews or comment on the poster reveal post on Adelaide Fringe’s Instagram or Facebook account.
Adelaide Fringe 2027 runs from 19 February to 21 March 2027.
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