Meet the finalists shaping Australia's contemporary art scene
Discover the Sunshine Coast National Art Prize finalists and vote for your favourite artwork
Australia’s contemporary art pulse has been taken and 40 of the nation’s most compelling and diverse contemporary artists have been selected as the 2025 Sunshine Coast National Art Prize finalists.
The eagerly anticipated announcement offers a vibrant snapshot of the country’s artistic landscape, capturing the diverse voices, bold ideas, and innovative practices shaping contemporary art today.
This year’s finalists include a mix of fresh faces and well-known names, each bringing their own unique style and story.
Together, they reflect the many ways Australians express themselves through art.
About the prize
Running since 2006, the prize continues to elevate the national arts landscape with its acquisitive format, ensuring a lasting legacy through the Sunshine Coast Art Collection.
Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli said the prize reflected the region’s commitment to cultural excellence and national dialogue.
“This prize is not just a celebration of artistic talent – it’s a statement of our region’s dedication to the arts,” Mayor Natoli said.
“Each year, the Sunshine Coast National Art Prize brings together some of the most compelling voices in Australian contemporary art and we are proud to bring these works to the region.
“The winning work will be acquired into the Sunshine Coast Art Collection for future generations to experience and enjoy.”
Seabastion Toast, The River House | 2024 | oil on canvas | 120 x 150cm
Finalist works and exhibition
Caloundra Regional Gallery Director Jo Duke highlighted the diversity and calibre of the 2025 finalists.
“This year’s finalists represent a rich tapestry of artistic practice, whether through painting, works on paper, mixed media or moving images,” Ms Duke said.
“The Sunshine Coast National Art Prize exhibition will be a powerful reflection of the issues, ideas and aesthetics shaping Australian art today.”
The exhibition will be held at Caloundra Regional Gallery from August 15 to October 12, 2025.
Huseyin Sami, Untitled (SPB) | 2025 | polymer paint on polyester | 100 x 100cm
Supporters of the prize
Sunshine Coast Council Strong Community Portfolio Councillor David Law acknowledged the philanthropic support that sustains the prize.
“We are deeply grateful to our sponsors and supporters whose generosity ensures the continued growth of this nationally significant prize,” Cr Law said.
“Their commitment allows us to showcase and support artists whose work reflects the vibrancy and diversity of Australian art.
“I encourage everyone to visit the exhibition and vote for their favourite artwork in the People’s Choice Awards category, either online or in the gallery.”
Judging the prize
The recipients of the Major prize, Highly Commended and Artist Residency will be determined by guest judge Robert Heather, an experienced arts leader who has worked on exhibitions, collections and programs in art galleries, museums, libraries and educational institutions in Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales.
Judge, Robert Heather
Prizes and supporters
- Major Prize $25,000 – sponsored by Argon Law and Sunshine Coast Council
- Highly Commended Award $5,000 – sponsored by the De Deyne Family
- People’s Choice Award: $2,500 – sponsored by Caloundra Chamber of Commerce
- Artist residency accommodation – supported by Montville Country Cabins
- Artist residency vehicle – supported by Coastline BMW
- Artwork transport and logistics – supported by International Art Services (IAS)
- Exhibition catalogue – sponsored by Friends, Regional Gallery, Caloundra
- People’s Choice voting is open online from July and in the gallery during the exhibition.
Key dates and information
- Exhibition: Friday August 15 until Sunday 12 October 12, 2025
- People’s Choice voting closes: Sunday September 14, 2025
- Winners announced: Thursday September 25, 2025
The prize pool
The winner of the major acquisitive prize will take home $25,000 following the Art Announcement evening, September 25, 2025.
Recipients of the Highly Commended, Artist in Residence and People’s Choice awards will also be announced on the night.
Forty finalists
This year’s 40 finalists are available to view now on the Caloundra Regional Gallery website
- Peter Alwast | Soap Bubbles
- Katy Bain | Curated by the Algorithm
- The BOOreaucrats | Signs of Agreement
- Lina Buck | The figure, the object and the space in which they reside 2
- Ray Coffey | A Lost Boy
- Erin Conron | Parallax Series - Prism #2
- Karee Dahl | Peg
- Gerwyn Davies | Bait
- Raimond de Weerdt | 25 Fibro Houses
- George Fetting | Aqueous #1
- Mim Fluhrer | Sun Portals (Let Us Dance)
- Mark Forbes | Crumbling
- Tamika Grant-Iramu | Fragments of Torino: an observation
- Amala Groom | The Lodge
- James Hale | Bad and Australian
- Jodie Handley | Patient 46, Adult Female, Age 38
- Sam Harrison | Born Here, From There
- Andy Harwood | Mesmerism
- Naomi Hobson | Rare
- Petalia Humphreys | Inversion #5
- Atipalku Intjalki | Tjukurpa Mulayangu
- Freddy Ken | Kulata Tjuta
- Jason Murphy | Bunya Drop Zone
- Philip James Mylecharane | Multifacet figure with augments
- Emily Portmann | Self Soother, Action Two
- Laurent Pouzet | Top of the Food Chain
- Huseyin Sami | Untitled (SPB)
- Si Yi Shen | Embrace
- Wade Taylor | Obelisk
- Carlene Thompson | Tjulpu Kulunypa – Baby Birds
- Thomas Thorby-Lister | Bladensburg National Park (Mapping 04)
- Emma Thorp | Home
- Walala Tjapaltjarri and Michael Eather | Turbo Tokyo Tingari
- Seabastion Toast | The River House
- Nicole Voevodin-Cash | ALLsorts LOSS + POTENIAL
- David Wells | Dream house with galah
- Simon Welsh | Bed Head
- Sally West | Bin Night
- Amanda Western | Held by time
- ISO Yoh | She the Fettered
This article Meet the finalists shaping Australia's contemporary art scene has been supplied from the OurSC website and has been published here with permission.