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By Dr Billy Gruner
The winners of the biennial Hawkesbury Art Prize have been announced, with this year’s theme of Contemporary Identity inspiring a truly outstanding collection of works. Taking out the coveted $15,000 award and a two-week residency is Julia Flanagan, a young artist whose striking geometric painting—provocatively titled Maybe the Question Was Too Much to Ask—captivated both visitors and judges alike.
Flanagan’s work stood out not only for its formal sophistication but also for the way it playfully interrogates modern identity. She describes her practice as “riffs on random ideas and playful thinking, responding to the complicated and hectic world we are living in. Colourful contemplations on the complexities of self and our connections to the spaces we inhabit.”
Her work, along with fifty others, is currently on exhibition at Purple Noon Gallery, Freemans Reach. Each piece is available for sale at accessible prices, with proceeds supporting both the Art Prize itself and charitable initiatives, including a scholarship for a first-year student at the National Art School (NAS).
A Night of Community, Culture, and Celebration
Saturday evening’s ceremony drew a crowd of hundreds, including many of the Hawkesbury’s most recognisable community and political figures. Among those present were Federal MP Susan Templeman, serving as Special Envoy for the Arts; NSW State MP Robyn Preston, Deputy Leader of the Opposition; Greens councillor Danielle Wheeler; and People not Parties councillor Mary Lyons-Buckett.
Also in attendance were business leaders such as Monica Tatton, Executive Director of Bendigo Bank, noted for her modest and community-focused approach. Their presence underscores how the Prize has grown into a major cultural event on the Hawkesbury calendar, marrying creativity with civic pride.
The Artists and the Judges
While the dignitaries drew attention, the true stars of the evening were the artists themselves—fifty finalists selected from hundreds of applicants across the country.
The judging panel was comprised of three luminaries: Rhonda Davis, Senior Curator at Macquarie University; acclaimed Sydney artist Alan Jones; and retired academic Dr David Cubby. Together, they dedicated days to narrowing the field online before meeting in person at the gallery to deliberate on winners, runners-up, and commendations.
The runner-up award went to Chris Wise, a rising art star whose work Landmarks–1 reflects his bold, plein-air abstractionist style. Another standout was Eva Adasal with her deeply resonant abstract Duel Heritage.
The landscape tradition was also strongly represented, with Peter Colquhoun—architect and television presenter—receiving attention for his collectable work Ghost Gum on a Bore Water Dam. Meanwhile, *Deidre Morrison’s Quoll won the Local Resident Award, reminding audiences of the Hawkesbury’s unique connection to place and environment.
A Prize That Gives Back
The Hawkesbury Art Prize is privately owned and administered by Purple Noon Gallery, directed by the ever-spirited Dr Robyn Williams. Situated near the property where Arthur Streeton painted The Purple Noon’s Transparent Might in 1896, the gallery has become a cultural landmark in its own right.
Dr Williams notes her commitment to an approach that “intermixes the commercial, cultural and educative experience working alongside Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities, and place-oriented cultural practices.”
Generous sponsorships also play a vital role, including two artist residencies donated by Glenhuntly Estate at their Kurrajong property. Beyond this, the Prize contributes to the future of Australian art through its donation to the National Art School. NAS Director and CEO Dr Kristen Sharp, herself an esteemed academic, writer, and curator, was in attendance to present awards on behalf of the school.
An Invitation to Collectors and Art Lovers
For collectors, the Hawkesbury Art Prize offers a rare opportunity to acquire high-quality, affordable works by emerging and established artists. Each purchase contributes directly to sustaining the Prize, supporting local artists, and funding opportunities for the next generation of creatives.
Whether you are drawn to Flanagan’s geometric brilliance, Wise’s fresh abstractions, or Morrison’s evocative landscapes, the exhibition at Purple Noon Gallery is well worth a visit.
Congratulations to all who entered—winners, finalists, and those whose works were not selected this time. The Hawkesbury Art Prize continues to prove that art, community, and generosity are inseparably bound.
