Honoured to Be a Finalist in the John D. Bowe Art Award
I am honoured to share that I was selected as one of just 15 finalists in the 2026 John D. Bowe Art Award, a Queensland art prize that celebrates contemporary artists whose work reflects the character, identity and spirit of Queensland.
Established in memory of John D. Bowe, the award recognises outstanding artistic excellence while encouraging artists to explore the stories, landscapes and communities that make Queensland unique. It has become a respected platform for artists working across the state, showcasing diverse interpretations of Queensland through contemporary art.
My finalist painting was inspired by the idea that Queensland is more than a collection of places—it's a feeling of connection. Rather than depicting one recognisable location, I created a playful abstract landscape that brings together many of the scenes that define life in Queensland. A swimming lagoon filled with families at play flows into rolling hills, colourful cultivated paddocks and resilient trees before meeting the coastline, where sailboats drift across the water beneath distant mountains.
Using bold colour, expressive palette knife textures and energetic brushstrokes, I wanted to capture the warmth, vitality and optimism that are so often associated with Queensland life. The patchwork farmland celebrates those who have shaped the land through care, hard work and perseverance, while the meeting of coast and country reflects the deep relationship Queenslanders share with both the natural environment and one another.
At its heart, the painting is about belonging. It celebrates resilience found not only in the landscape itself, but also in the people who continue to live, work and thrive within it. Although the work is abstract, I hope it evokes familiar memories and emotions for anyone who has experienced Queensland's unique beauty.
To have this painting recognised as one of only 15 finalist works is an achievement I am incredibly proud of. Creating art is often a quiet, solitary process, so moments like these provide wonderful encouragement and remind me why I continue to paint.
My sincere thanks go to the organisers and judges of the John D. Bowe Art Award for supporting contemporary Queensland artists and providing such a meaningful opportunity to share our work. I am also deeply grateful to everyone who has supported my artistic journey over the years—my collectors, galleries, family and friends. Your encouragement makes achievements like this possible.
Being selected as a finalist is something I will always treasure, and I look forward to continuing to celebrate the beauty, colour and spirit of Australia through my paintings.
A Shared Horizon - Natures Playground can be purchased as a print - Click to view
