winners

Fifty Squared art prize 2025

THREAD1
ELLEN VINCE-MOIN

Brunswick Street Gallery is pleased to announce the First Prize winner as Ellen Vince-Moin for their artwork Thread1. 

Of this work, esteemed guest judge Vincent Alessi said in a statement:

‘Ellen Vince-Moin’s pen drawing push’s the capacity of drawing from simply mark-making into a medium which speaks of time, the studio and questions of craft and art. On the one hand it is a still-life; a drawing of a simple weaving. It is a document of process; the slowness and silence of the studio, deliberate mark-making, and the registration perpendicular lines. As an image representative of weaving, it engages with the ongoing conceptual questions of craft being the domain of female labour. Lastly, in its quietness, and the hypnotic rhythmic longitudinal and latitudinal lines, it becomes a marker of time, asking us to slow down, to be aware of every step, interaction and the occasional blip.'

– Dr. Vincent Alessi

Congratulations to Ellen Vince-Moin, awarded the First Prize.

The First Prize winner will receive a $5000 Cash Prize (non-acquisitive).

Image: Thread1, Ellen Vince-Moin, Pen on paper, 47x35cm.

OUR ROSES ARE PINK
LILY RAZUKI

Brunswick Street Gallery is pleased to announce the Second Prize winner as Lily Razuki for their artwork Our Roses are Pink. 

Of this work, esteemed guest judge Vincent Alessi said in a statement:

‘Lily Razuki’s 'Our Roses are Pink' is powerful in its ability to speak to both the personal and the universal. The pink roses referenced in the title—and depicted through the Iraqi postage stamps that frame the work—evoke the artist’s homeland, highlighting her enduring cultural, emotional, and geographical connection to Iraq. It’s a sentiment shared by many migrants and refugees who have begun new lives elsewhere while carrying the memory of home. Yet the flower also holds deeply personal meaning: a tender recollection of the artist’s Bibi, who would cuddle her while tending her garden of pink roses.'

– Dr. Vincent Alessi

Congratulations to Lily Razuki, awarded the Second Prize.

The Second Prize winner will receive a $1000 Cash Prize (non-acquisitive), supported by Logiart fine art transport.

Image: Our Roses are Pink, Lily Razuki, Embroidery and Beads on Hemp Paper framed by Vintage Iraqi Stamps, 30x40cm.

BETWEEN THOUGHTS
R.J FLETCHER

Selected by our curatorial team, the BSG Prize is awarded to an artist whose entry is indicative of a practice that we are excited to support, awarding them with an exhibition with us in the upcoming 2026 exhibition schedule.

This year, we are delighted to award the prize to an individual who has brought a fresh perspective to their medium, skillfully engaging with traditional painting techniques in a contemporary context. Their work features a thoughtful and compelling composition that stood out strongly among the hang. We are excited to see what they will create for their forthcoming exhibition.

With this, Brunswick Street Gallery is pleased to present a BSG Prize to R.J Fletcher for their piece Between Thoughts.

Of this piece, Brunswick Street Gallery issued a joint statement:

‘While we were taken with both of Fletcher’s paintings in this year’s prize, it was her work 'Between Thoughts' that immediately captured our attention. 

In the painting, a figure is depicted in a moment of quiet reflection. The tonal palette of deep blues, greens and reds suggest she is taking respite in the evening–her features illuminated ever so slightly as if by candlelight. The artist's intentional colour blocking, accompanied with the bold floral print on the subject’s clothes and her open, painterly features are reminiscent of folkloric art movements, and in turn evoke a sense of nostalgia. This is a painting that, without imposing, invites us to put ourselves into this peaceful scene and contemplate what she is mulling over in the tranquil night hours.

The curatorial team is excited to work with the artist on envisioning an exhibition in the coming year.’

Congratulations to R.J Fletcher, awarded a BSG Prize as selected by the Brunswick Street Gallery’s Director Sean Smith, Gallery Manager Jacqui Burnes, and Exhibitions Manager Conor Smyth.

The BSG Prize winner will be awarded contribution towards a solo exhibition at Brunswick Street Gallery in 2026.

Image: Between Thoughts, R.J Fletcher, Oil on Canvas, framed, 49x49cm.

BREAKFAST IN KYOTO
DAVID DAWES

Brunswick Street Gallery is pleased to announce the winner of an Honourable Mention as David Dawes for their artwork Breakfast in Kyoto.

Dawes' piece was selected by the judging panel, with Dr. Vincent Alessi saying in a statement:

'David Dawes’ 'Breakfast in Kyoto' is a compelling example of reducing compositional elements to their formal essence. The work is beautifully balanced, shifting between a modernist still-life of a breakfast setting and a confident, gestural abstraction. Each block of colour asserts its presence with clarity, yet remains in harmonious dialogue with the whole, creating a visual rhythm that is both deliberate and dynamic.'

Congratulations to David Dawes, awarded an Honourable Mention, supported by Melbourne Artist's Supplies.

The winner of this prize will receive a voucher for supplies and materials at Melbourne Artist's Supplies.

Image: Breakfast in Kyoto, David Dawes, oil on canvas, 20x20cm.

BEAR HUG
ZOE KAMARINOS

Brunswick Street Gallery is pleased to announce the winner of an Honourable Mention as Zoe Kamarinos for their artwork Bear Hug.

Though sitting in the realm of conventional portraiture, this piece is an intimate and arresting scene that commands attention with the subject’s steely gaze.

Congratulations to Zoe Kamarinos, awarded an Honourable Mention, supported by The Art Room.

The winner of this prize will receive and a Full 12 Month TAR Membership to The Art Room.

Image: Bear Hug, Zoe Kamarinos, Oil paint and oil pastel on canvas board, 43x33cm.

SUNNY SIDE DOWN
ALTHEA WONG

Brunswick Street Gallery is pleased to announce the winner of an Honourable Mention as Althea Wong for their artwork Sunny side down. 

This piece has captured the eye of many, and the team and United Measures was no exception. They are excited to work with Althea in the future.

Congratulations to Althea Wong, awarded an Honourable Mention, supported by United Measures.

The winner of this prize will receive a voucher for fine art framing services at United Measures.

Image: Sunny side downwards, Althea Wong, Oil on wood, 30x30cm.

IN THE IN-BETWEEN
MICHELLE FERREIRA

Brunswick Street Gallery is pleased to announce the the winner of an Honourable Mention as Michelle Ferreira for their artwork In The In-Between. 

Of this work, Neo Frames' Cassie May said in a statement:

'Michelle's piece caught my eye for its originality, composition and dynamic energy.

I would like to congratulate Michelle for her fresh and contemporary artwork. '

Congratulations to Michelle Ferreira, awarded an Honourable Mention, supported by Neo Frames.

The winner of this prize will receive a voucher for framing services at Neo Frames.

Image: In the In-Between, Michelle Ferreira, Photography, 40x27cm.

THE RED
KEATON LEE

Brunswick Street Gallery is pleased to present the Photography Prize to KEATON LEE for their piece THE RED, as supported by Walkens House of Film.

Brunswick Street Gallery is pleased to announce winner of an Honourable Mention for Photography as Keaton Lee for their artwork The RED. 

Congratulations to Keaton Lee, awarded an Honourable Mention supported by Walkens House of Film.

The winner of an Honourable Mention will be awarded a voucher from Walkens House of Film.

Image: The RED, Keaton Lee, photograph on cotton paper, vintage black and silver wooden frame, 50x37.5cm.

BROODING
DANAA FLETCHER

Brunswick Street Gallery is pleased to announce the the winner of an Honourable Mention as Danaa Faulken for their artwork Brooding. 

Of this work, Kyle KM of Fitzroy Stretches said in a statement:

''Brooding' immediately captured our attention. Danaa has displayed a meticulous understanding of pencil on paper and represents great skill.We hope our selection can provide materials and framing to elevate and support their practice further.'

Congratulations to Danaa Faulken, awarded an Honourable Mention, supported by Senior Art Supplies and Fitzroy Stretches.

The winner of this prize will receive a voucher for supplies and materials at Senior Art Supplies/Fitzroy Stretches.

Image: Brooding, Danaa Faulken, Graphite on paper, 26x31cm.

TO BE DECIDED BY YOU!

SUPPORTED BY DERIVAN AND THE ART ROOM

Brunswick Street Gallery is pleased to allow our visitors to be the judge, extending the invitation to vote for their favourite artwork to win the People’s Choice Award!

The winner of the People’s Choice Award will receive a voucher for Artist’s Supplies from Derivan – a leading Australian supplier of fine art materials, and a Full 12 Month TAR Membership to The Art Room.

To vote, simply scan the QR code at the entrance when you visit the gallery.

In addition to the People's Choice Award, all visitors who vote will also go in the draw to win the VISITOR'S PRIZE, a 6-session Pass to Casual Life Drawing, at The Art Room!