THE BOOT ROOM
MILLIE HOPTON

Brunswick Street Gallery is pleased to announce the First Prize winner as Millie Hopton for their artwork The Boot Room. 

Of this work, esteemed guest judge Emily Sexton said in a statement:

‘This evocative, moving piece invites the viewer to lean in, and respond with intimacy to an intimate subject matter. This carefully detailed postcard painting of lost or forgotten moments is a beautiful choice for domestic still life portraiture. Hopton has deftly captured ordinary scenes for the beauty they possess, on their own terms. We lean in for the size of the works but are rewarded again through the subtle inclusion of embossed text, prompted to remember that these domestic spaces are sites of gendered labour. The work contains some interesting tensions: the light and colour captured by Hopton feels nostalgic and timeless, but a dripping tap locates the viewer in a particular moment in time. In a competitive field, Hopton’s work creates a reflective pause through a wise and loving pairing of form, content and the viewer’s own role. Presented alongside its companion piece, 'The Chair', the work prompts thoughts of the works' wider narratives, and makes for a very powerful series.'

– Emily Sexton

Congratulations to Millie Hopton, awarded the First Prize.

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

Image: The Boot Room, Millie Hopton, oil on board, 10.5x14.8cm.

PLEAT 5
LOIS WATERS

Brunswick Street Gallery is pleased to announce the Second Prize winner as Lois Waters for their artwork Pleat 5. 

Of this work, esteemed guest judge Emily Sexton said in a statement:

‘This intriguing, rewarding work creates emotional landscapes through a stunning use of texture and tension. The work portrays an exceptional contradiction of delicacy and strength, quiet contemplation and strong contrast. While it easily stands alone, Waters’ other two textile works are lovely counterpoint to the staunch monochromatic tones of this etching, where the negative space is made alive by the white cloth seeming to insist that it takes up as much space as possible. As an abstract work this felt full of character, and difficult to forget.’

– Emily Sexton

Congratulations to Lois Waters, awarded the Second Prize.

The Second Prize winner will receive a $1000 Cash Prize (non-acquisitive).

Image: Pleat 5, Lois Waters, etching ink on kozo paper on board, 30x21.2cm.

OPEN PARTITIONS
PHILIP JAMES MYLECHARANE

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 2025 exhibition schedule.

This year we have awarded the prize to an individual that has demonstrated a fresh approach to their medium that plays with traditional painting techniques, with an interesting and considered composition that makes this piece stand out amongst the hang. We are excited to see the work they will produce for their awarded exhibition.

With this, Brunswick Street Gallery is pleased to present a BSG Prize to Philip James Mylecharane for their piece Open Partitions.

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

‘We were immediately drawn to Philip's work because of its subtlety and the careful consideration of composition. The hybrid landscape imagined by the artist, through the blend of geometric shapes and organic forms, is thoughtfully created with a brutalist palette, punctuated by a precise flicker of amber that, like a beacon, draws you even further into the work.Philip's other artworks in this year's Prize further illustrate the artist's distinct visual language and exemplify a dedicated practice.

The curatorial team at BSG is looking forward to working with Philip more closely in the future.’

Congratulations to Philip James Mylecharane, 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 2025-26.

Image: Open Partitions, Philip James Mylecharane, oil on board, 22x26cm.

POWER LINES
JORDAN O'CONNOR

SUPPORTED BY MELBOURNE ETCHING SUPPLIES

Brunswick Street Gallery is pleased to announce the Work on Paper Prize winner as Jordan O'Connor for their artwork Power Lines. 

Of this work, the team at Melbourne Etching Supplies said in a statement:

‘At first glance, we were taken with the traditional print-like qualities of Power Lines by Jordan O'Connor. The dense, rich penmanship is evocative of a traditional etching, and it was only on closer inspection that we realized this work was, in fact, a drawing. The depth of detail in Jordan's technique is exquisite, with soft, subtle textures drawing the viewer in to explore every delicate line, dot and mark.

Power Lines is a striking example of craftsmanship, where penmanship becomes a meditative exploration of space, structure, and the passage of time.’

Congratulations to Jordan O'Connor, awarded the Work on Paper Prize, supported by Melbourne Etching Supplies (M.E.S)

The Work on Paper Prize winner will receive a $1000 voucher for supplies and materials and Melbourne Etching Supplies.

Image: Power Lines, Jordan O'Connor, Pen on paper, 35x31cm.

HOW IT FEELS
ROSE MORGAN

SUPPORTED BY PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIES COLLEGE

Brunswick Street Gallery is pleased to present the Photography Prize to Rose Morgan for their piece How it Feels, as supported by Photography Studies College (PSC).

Of this work, Photography Studies College's Mandarine Montgomery said in a statement:

'The definition of art is the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, and this photomontage demonstrates an exploration of familiar subjects in a visually quirky and intriguing way. It invites the viewer to pause and contemplate its meaning, (something rare in a world of constant image bombardment) while investigating the content, searching for hidden elements and narrative.' 

Artist Rose Morgan had said of this piece:

'This work embodies the experiential attempt to understand momentous concepts through a limited human lens. Notions of infinitely expanding space and climate change are reduced to imagery of elements water, earth and fire. The play on scale explores the subjective way we as people feel the weight of our problems.'

Congratulations to Rose Morgan, awarded the Photography Prize as selected and supported by Photography Studies College.

The Photography Prize winner will be awarded a voucher for photographic printing and consultation services at Photography Studies College's Print Shop, valued at $500.

Image: How it Feels, Rose Morgan, Photographic collage featuring handmade flaming miniature wooden house sculpture and light installation, 1/3 ed., 34x34cm.

ECHOES OF KIN
JOHN BUDD

SUPPORTED BY CRAFT VICTORIA

Brunswick Street Gallery is pleased to present the Object Prize to John Budd for their piece Echoes of Kin, as supported by the team at Craft Victoria.

Of this work, Craft Victoria said in a statement:

'Craft is thrilled to award John Budd the Object Prize in the Brunswick Street Gallery Small Works Art Prize 2025. We were drawn to the originality of the design of 'Echoes of Kin' and the eye-catching mirrored surface of aluminium with nickel plating. The staggered forms are reminiscent of vocal wave lengths, communicating the concept of family, ritual and conversation around a dinner table.'

Congratulations to John Budd, awarded the Object Prize as selected by Craft Victoria.

The Object Prize winner will be awarded a Makers Membership for Craft Victoria.

Image: Echoes of Kin, John Budd, Nickle Plated Aluminum Billet, 22.5x15cm, 20x10cm, 16x9cm.

THE COST OF LIVING
SAMUEL O'MALLEY

SUPPORTED BY ART GUIDE AUSTRALIA

Brunswick Street Gallery is pleased to present an Honourable Mention Prize to Samuel O'Malley for their piece The Cost of Living, as supported by the team at Art Guide.

This Honourable Mention is awarded in recognition of the great strides the chosen artist is making within their practice, as apparent in their winning piece, and an indication of our excitement to see what's next.

Congratulations to Samuel O'Malley, awarded an Honourable Mention from Art Guide.

The Honourable Mention winner will be awarded a half-page ad in an Art Guide.

Image: The Cost of Living, Samuel O'Malley, oil on canvas, 20x15cm.

UNTITLED LANDSCAPE
HANAKO MÜLLER

SUPPORTED BY PRISM IMAGING

Brunswick Street Gallery is pleased to present an Honourable Mention Prize to Hanako Müller for their piece Untitled Landscape, as supported by the team at Prism Imaging.

Of this work, Prism Imaging's team said in a statement:

'We enjoyed the artist’s exploration of form through thoughtful composition and selective framing to reveal ‘landscapes’ in the surface of the body.' 

Congratulations to Hanako Müller, awarded an Honourable Mention as selected by Prism Imaging.

The Honourable Mention winner will be awarded a Prism Imaging voucher for their fine art printing services.

Image: Untitled Landscape, Hanako Müller, 35mm Photograph, Archival Gelatin Silver Print, 20.32x25.4cm.

YOUR TOUCH CHANGED ME
JASON RUFOV

SUPPORTED BY FRAME OF MIND

Brunswick Street Gallery is pleased to present an Honourable Mention Prize to Jason Rufov for their piece Your Touch Changed Me, as supported by the team at Frame of Mind Framing.

Of this work, Frame of Mind's Directors said in a statement:

'We love Jason's use of the pencil, the composition featuring dazzling colour, the subtle and delicate textures, the intriguing imagery and the consideration in layering. We appreciate the considered approach to framing and presentation and we look forward to collaborating!' 

Congratulations to Jason Rufov, awarded an Honourable Mention as selected by Frame of Mind Framing.

The Honourable Mention winner will be awarded a Frame of Mind voucher for their fine art framing services.

Image: Your Touch Changed Me, Jason Rufov, graphite and coloured pencils
29x21cm.

TO BE DECIDED BY YOU!

SUPPORTED BY ART SHED & EVERYDAY COFFEE

Brunswick Street Gallery was 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 Art Shed – a leading Australian supplier of fine art materials.

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 PRIZE, supported by Everyday Coffee!