Moreton Bay Region Outdoor Art Prize - 2025 winners
As part of the Moreton Bay Region Art Prize for 2025, artists were invited to enter their works to be part of the Outdoor Art Prize. The artworks of the six finalists will be displayed on banners at various locations across Moreton Bay from 19 May 2025 to 15 June 2025. Congratulations to the following artists for having their works selected:
Gathering Under Sky Country
Lauren Rogers, 2025
Artist statement: This artwork celebrates connection to Country, community, and the cosmos. A mother and daughter sit together atop a hill, bathed in the glow of a full moon. The mother shares stories of Sky Country - cultural knowledge, Ancestral memory, and deep time. The surrounding hills bloom with vibrant native flora, symbolising the life, energy, and continuity of Country. The trees represent strength, kinship, and intergenerational wisdom. The night sky, rich with stars and celestial pathways, reflects the profound relationship First Nations peoples hold with the universe—where the sky is not separate from the land, but part of it. An expression of cultural storytelling, belonging, and the power of shared knowledge between generations.
Judge’s note: I really appreciate the messaging of this work - particularly its depiction of a matrilineal mother/daughter connection. I like your use of colour in its slightly unusual palette - it makes me think the scenery is slightly blue because a new day is either upon us or the current day is about to rest. The way you’ve patterned the sky is gorgeous, the sprinkling of stars is an 'aha' moment for sure.
Outdoor Gallery location
- Opposite Cypress Avenue, Woorim | View map
TRACKMARKED
Adhis Cole, 2025
Artist statement: This photograph captures the vibrant spirit of Redcliffe’s drag racing scene & car enthusiasts, showcasing more than just speed and adrenaline. It reflects a passionate subculture where mechanical skill, community pride, and curiosity intersect. Behind the roar of engines are garage engineers exploring mechanics, aerodynamics, and chemistry. Drag racing here is more than a pastime, it’s a lifestyle marked by innovation and experimentation. The photo pays tribute to local enthusiasts and their deep-rooted connection to motion and creativity.
Judges note: Compositionally it works really well for the opportunity, and it’s clearly shot proficiently with the focus pulled on the vehicle.
Outdoor Gallery location
- Deception Bay Road, Deception Bay | View map
Out of Touch
Shan Michaels, 2025
Artist statement: 'Out of Touch' is a 3D textile work crafted from repurposed beanies, with black pom-poms arranged to spell the word 'touch' in braille. This work is part of a broader exploration of art that engages the senses beyond the visual and embraces the potential of multi-sensory art to create more inclusive environments. By incorporating braille and everyday materials linked to warmth, comfort, and play, Out of Touch gently challenges assumptions about who art is for and how it can be experienced. It asks the viewer to consider the value of access not as an afterthought or accommodation, but as a creative force. Above all, it embraces the idea that inclusive art experiences don’t just support some—they enrich everybody.
Judge’s note: I think the openness to utilise the colour range you have is great and really allows the texture of the material and the various knitting techniques you’ve used to really shine.
Outdoor Gallery location
- Samford Road, Samford Village | View map
Evolution in my Bathroom
Jamie Congdon, 2025
Artist statement: This expressive oil painting plays with perspective and depicts the interior of the artist's bathroom. A mural of a man holding a shark's tongue sits on the bathroom wall to the right and the rest of the bathroom is laid out on the left. Jamie Congdon has written the below poem to go along with the work.
Something grew inside my mind
An ultra ego to hold and bind
A construct of memories inside my head
The more I cried the more it fed
But I have to go through those doors again
To find myself inside of there
But I might stay or I might leave
That's a path I can't conceive
Judge’s note: It’s almost mosaic in its rough, textural, yet confident composition really makes me appreciate the story here. I like that the image dissolves into this vibrant fish scape, and the touch of the blue leaking into the wall grouting is awesome.
Outdoor Gallery location
- Old Gympie Road and Viney Avenue, Kallangur | View map
The Small Things
Magdalena Marciniak, 2025
Artist statement: 'The Small Things' speaks to moments that pass quickly, gestures that seem minor, and presences we forget to notice. And yet, it is often these that hold everything together. In nature, as in life, it is the quietest things that leave the deepest trace. This work is a quiet tribute to the small things that shape the world. The butterfly—admired for its beauty—moves softly through blooms, its presence fleeting but essential. Fragile, often overlooked, it carries more than colour; it carries meaning.
Judge’s note: There’s a strong design sensibility here, and the subtle uses of shade such as the lighter blue tones in the background really elevate the use of red on the butterflies glow. I’m not sure if it’s just the use of sharper digital edges akin to collage, but I really do get a sense of your working in 'digital' glass by the way you’ve given the elements a sheen with shadow and light.
Outdoor Gallery location
The Morning Riot
Naomi Mears, 2025
Artist statement: Laughter has the power to turn our day around, so let's do it. 'The Morning Riot' was inspired by the amusing nature and unique personalities of Moreton Bay birds. This watercolour painting showcases the combination of various vocalisations that are heard throughout the trees. This artwork collates visual expressions and vibrant colours to bring the atmosphere to life. The artwork highlights the sound, expression, and power that laughter holds.
Judge’s note: Your style is so lively yet gentle; I appreciate the way that you’ve used really vibrant colour yet you’ve done so with a light touch and there’s a sense of warmth to this painting. The thinner application of watercolour pigment adds a lot to this piece, which combined with the squiggled linework makes for a dream-like effect.
Outdoor Gallery location
- Caboolture Region Environmental Education Centre, Burpengary | View map