Gordon Lister took home the coveted Rio Tinto Yarwun & QAL Martin Hanson Memorial Art Award for his artwork, Acknowledgement of Country, winning $15,000 in prize money.

Section winners included East Point, Facing Island by Fiona Marxsen (Easel Works), Mackerel by Mykenzie O’Brien (Works on Paper), Plastic Palace by Christine Holden (Three Dimensions and Fibre Works) and Anamorphism by Kate Kurucz (Digital Works).

Kyle Weise, Acting Curator at The University of Queensland Art Museum and judge of The 49th Rio Tinto Yarwun & QAL Martin Hanson Memorial Art Awards said the task to decide Award winners was not an easy one.

“The more time I spent with the works the harder it got,” Mr Weise said.

“There is an amazing variety of work here and it was incredible to hand out 17 prizes, which is remarkable and shows great support from the community.”

Mr Weise said Gordon Lister’s artwork stood out among a very accomplished field of entries.

“It is rendered with such precision and detail; it just draws you in and you slowly explore its stories the more time you spend with it,” he said.

“For me it was a clear winner.”

Gorden Lister’s Artist Statement reads: “Gordon, a muddy waters Mari (man), is now living on Saltwater Country. This painting acknowledges the Sovereign Peoples from the Gladstone Region and their connection to Country, where he now works and resides.”

This year, 236 entries were received and displayed, including:

• 130 Section 1 entries, Easel Works
• 52 Section 2 entries, Works on Paper
• 36 Section 3 entries, Three Dimensions & Fibre Works
• 18 Section 4 entries, Digital Works.

Gladstone Region Mayor Matt Burnett said the local talent on display at the Art Awards was inspiring.

“Every year I find myself blown away by the impressive display of artistic ability that Gladstone Region locals bring to the awards,” Councillor Burnett said.

“The Art Awards are a highlight on our community’s cultural calendar and one of the most eagerly anticipated Art Awards in Regional Queensland.

“I want to thank everybody who submitted their artwork to the Art Awards for their invaluable contribution to art, culture and the legacy of Martin Hanson.”

Voting is now open for the QAL People’s Choice Awards and closes at 2pm on Saturday, 18 January 2025.

Voting is simple:

• Visit GRAGM and enjoy the exhibition before 2pm Saturday, 18 January 2025
• Scan the QR Code
• Enter your details
• Choose your favourite in each section
• The QAL People’s Choice Awards Winners win $500 each.

Visit gragm.qld.gov.au for more details. The 49th Rio Tinto Yarun & QAL Martin Hanson Memorial Art Awards Exhibition will be on display until Saturday, 25 January 2025.

WINNERS LIST – The 49th Rio Tinto Yarwun & QAL Martin Hanson Memorial Art Awards

OVERALL

Overall Winner – The 49th Rio Tinto Yarwun & QAL Martin Hanson Memorial Art Award
$15,000
Gordon Lister, Acknowledgement of Country

The Pamela Whitlock Memorial Acquisitive Award
$5000
Geoffrey Head, Bottle Top Tinsel

The Pieter Groen-int-woud Memorial Young Emerging Artist Award, sponsored by Multitrade Building Hire
$1,500
Lani Burville, The Gravy Boat

The Local Murri Artist Award, sponsored by Elizabeth & Leo Zussino
$1500
Caelum Grant Iman, BARYONYX (DINOSAUR DUEL)

The Local Artist Award, sponsored Gladstone Area Water Board
$1500
Ping Carlyon, Muscles & Brushstrokes #6

The Installers Choice Award, sponsored by Councillor Natalia Muszkat
$500
Jessica Stapleton, The Architects

SECTION 1: EASEL WORKS

First Prize, sponsored by QER – Queensland Energy Resources
$2,000
Fiona Marxsen, East Point, Facing Island

Second Prize, sponsored by Gail Sellers
$1,000
Catherine Boreham, “A King Emerges”

Third Prize, sponsored by Gladstone Area Water Board
$500
Norman Fraser, INDUSTRY: DILIGENCE, HARD WORK

SECTION 2: WORKS ON PAPER

First Prize, sponsored by ConocoPhillips
$2,000
Mykenzie O’Brien, Mackerel

Second Prize, sponsored by Central Apartment Group
$1,000
Susan Head, Annual General Meeting

Third Prize, sponsored by 4CC
$500
Alix O’Neil, Morning Salutations

SECTION 3: THREE DIMENSIONS AND FIBRE WORKS

First Prize, sponsored by Gladstone Ports Corporation
$2,000
Christine Holden, Plastic Palace

Second Prize, sponsored by Gladstone Area Water Board
$1,000
Bina Van Haeften, LIMINAL

Third Prize, sponsored by Ray White Gladstone
$500
Daniel O’Hanlon, Yurumpi Honey Ant by Gunga

SECTION 4: DIGITAL WORKS

First Prize, sponsored by Gladstone Entertainment Convention Centre
$2,000
Kate Kurucz, Anamorphism

Second Prize, sponsored by CQUniversity
$1,000
Keri Lockwood, Little Falls

Third Prize, sponsored by 4CC
$500
Thomas C. Chung, “As Far As I Could See…”

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