Winners

Small works art prize 2026

BETWEEN HERE AND THERE #2
CAITLIN REILLY

Brunswick Street Gallery is pleased to announce the winner of First Prize to Caitlin Reilly for their piece Between here and there #2, as selected by guest judge Myles Russell-Cook, Artistic Director and CEO of the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art (ACCA), and the Judging Panel.

Of this work, esteemed guest judge Myles Russell-Cook said in a statement:

‘In first place, the overall winner is Caitlin Reilly, whose evocative dreamlike vignette, Between Here and There #2, immediately transports us to the backseat of a rural Australian car trip. With a subdued and atmospheric palette, we see an unmistakable (albeit blurry) South East landscape. The work was painted on Bundjalung Country, inspired by the artist's trips through the Byron Shire. Through the window, the hinterland is all but obscured by what appears to be the drizzle on a rainy car window. Reilly references the mental state we experience when we journey between two points. This is a time when one is neither here, nor there. For me, this was immediately recognisable as a moment from my childhood defined by introspection — where the world whizzed by as Dad's car travelled the wet bitumen up near Hanging Rock.

The painting is simple, yet it commands itself with a quiet luminosity. The colour palette is distinctly Australian, featuring pale eucalypt and deep ferny greens. The vantage point from the passenger seat of a car, coupled with the indistinct horizon line, serves as metaphors for how we navigate interstitial and liminal spaces, both physical and psychological.

Frozen in time, from inside this speeding car, we are neither here nor there, but instead moving through a dreamlike world. Punctuating the composition is a single white reflective street post, the sort most of us would remember counting as children to pass the time while being a passenger. For me, this work unlocks a core memory of childhood — a time when we were all going in whatever direction our family was headed. A simple time. The solitary white reflective post gives the work a greater sense of melancholy or loneliness. Without the bitumen and the reflective post, this could easily be a quaint study found at the back of a studio, painted by an Australian impressionist in the 1920s, someone like Ina Gregory, Ethel Carrick, Tom Roberts, Arthur Streeton, and so on.'

– Myles Russell-Cook

Congratulations to Caitlin Reilly, awarded the First Prize.

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

Image: Between here and there #2, Caitlin Reilly, oil on reclaimed timber, 30x23cm.

THE PET
PHIL HAYES

Brunswick Street Gallery is pleased to announce the winner of Second Prize to Phil Hayes for their piece The Pet, as selected by guest judge Myles Russell-Cook, Artistic Director and CEO of the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art (ACCA), and the Judging Panel.

Of this work, esteemed guest judge Myles Russell-Cook said in a statement:

‘In second place, Phil Hayes’ The Pet is an evocative painting that captivates the viewer at first glance. A male and female couple stand in 1970s clothing, in a scene which initially appears to be drawn from a family photograph. It is excellently painted in a hyper-real aesthetic, with the matte blue Australian sky and drought-scorched brown grass rendered in exceptional detail. We are immediately placed in time, with the 1973 LJ Holden Torana partially obscured by the couple, yet taking centre stage nonetheless. In the foreground, Hayes has seamlessly introduced a third figure, a Thylacine, known more colloquially as a Tasmanian Tiger.

The last Thylacine, named Benjamin, passed away in 1936 at the Hobart Zoo, and as we approach nearly one hundred years since his death, Hayes’ work offers a poignant reflection on both loss and memory. The anachronistic time traveller has been displaced, transforming this hyper-real scene, into a surreal one. Despite its warmth, I was struck by a profound sense of melancholy in the work. The anatomically correct jaw either yawns or snarls; however, the warm and placid demeanour of the couple, paired with the title of the work (The Pet), suggests a scene of domestic simplicity. There is no palpable aggression that one might associate with a carnivore showing its teeth; instead, the work’s strength lies in its blending of the mundane and the uncanny. The painting's compositional arrangement and colour palette evoke references to Australian realist Jeffrey Smart; however, it is the fusion of realism with surrealism that underpins the work’s success.’

– Myles Russell-Cook

Congratulations to Phil Hayes, awarded the Second Prize.

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

Image: The Pet, Phil Hayes, oil on canvas, 30x20cm.

IN GOOD COMPANY
LOUISE KYRIAKOU

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 2026-27 exhibition schedule.

This year we have been delighted to award two BSG Prizes, each to an individual that has demonstrated a fresh approach to their medium that plays with traditional techniques, and 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 Louise Kyriakou for their piece In Good Company.

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

‘Louise Kyriakou’s ceramic piece In Good Company stood out to us from the outset, not only for its visual appeal and technical excellence, but for its spirit. A mosaicked ceramic work composed of individually handmade elements, the piece comes together cohesively to form a harmonious and engaging composition in Kyriakou’s distinctly playful, modernist style.

The work invites viewers to linger and explore—to meet each individual “character” and appreciate the care and craftsmanship behind every singular component. What makes In Good Company particularly poignant for us is its ability to beautifully reflect the melting pot that is our community. When these individual fragments are brought together, the resulting artwork becomes a vibrant gathering.

As an artwork that celebrates friendship, community, and human connection, we feel In Good Company embodies the very essence of this art prize, as well as our joy in bringing people of all artistic levels, practices, and walks of life together.'

Congratulations to Louise Kyriakou, awarded a BSG Prize as selected by the Brunswick Street Gallery’s Director Sean Smith, Gallery Manager Jacqui O'Shea, and Exhibitions Manager Conor Smyth.

The BSG Prize winner will be awarded contribution towards a solo exhibition at Brunswick Street Gallery in 2026-27.

Image: In Good Company, Louise Kyriakou, Ceramic Tiles mosaicked onto Wood Board, 30x30x2.5cm.

WEAVING THE COASTLINE
FIONA DAVEY

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 2026-27 exhibition schedule.

This year we have been delighted to award two BSG Prizes, each to an individual that has demonstrated a fresh approach to their medium that plays with traditional techniques, and 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 Fiona Davey for their piece Weaving the Coastline.

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

‘What initially drew us to Fiona Davey’s work Weaving the Coastline was its re-interpretation of the traditional coastal landscape, coupled with the extraordinary intricacy of her technique. Within the work, fragments of archived coastline are captured, layered and interwoven, revealing a quiet mastery of printmaking at a minute scale. Though the image appears effortless and organic, it is in fact a carefully constructed, multi-plate etching. The woven surface of the immensely fragile, tissue-like paper evokes the gridlines of maps and aerial plotting, becoming a site upon which multiple landscapes are imprinted and fused into a new, composite terrain. The artist’s physical act of traversing the coastline across distant points is distilled into an area measuring less than 9×13cm, where time and space are compressed and the coastline’s textures are preserved as a delicate and enduring archive.'

Congratulations to Fiona Davey, awarded a BSG Prize as selected by the Brunswick Street Gallery’s Director Sean Smith, Gallery Manager Jacqui O'Shea, and Exhibitions Manager Conor Smyth.

The BSG Prize winner will be awarded contribution towards a solo exhibition at Brunswick Street Gallery in 2026-27.

Image: Weaving the Coastline, Fiona Davey, Weaving, Multi-plate Etching and Collage, 30x35cm.

ONE SQUIRT IS ENOUGH
GULNOZA AKHMEDOVA

SUPPORTED BY CRAFT VICTORIA

Brunswick Street Gallery is pleased to present the Object Prize to Gulnoza Akhmedova for their piece One Squirt Is Enough, as supported by the team at Craft Victoria.

Of this work, Craft Victoria said in a statement:

'One Squirt Is Enough by Gulnoza Akhmedova is a delightful study in contrast: depicting a mass-produced plastic object in the labour-intensive medium of crochet transforms a mundane household item into an object of humour! A technically accomplished, joyful and meticulous work. Thank you, Akhmedova!'

Congratulations to Gulnoza Akhmedova, awarded the Object Prize as selected by Craft Victoria.

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

Image: One Squirt is Enough, Gulnoza Akhmedova, Mixed media, 24x10x6cm.

REFLECTION
STACEY DE NATRIS

SUPPORTED BY ART GUIDE AUSTRALIA

Brunswick Street Gallery is pleased to present an Honourable Mention Prize to Stacey de Natris for their piece Reflection, as supported by the team at Art Guide.

Of this piece, Graham Meadowcroft of Art Guide said in a statement:

'Stacey’s self-portrait shows a confident exploration of tone and texture. It’s an engaging portrait that sees the artist in reflection with the viewer left to unravel her inner thoughts.'

Congratulations to Stacey de Natris, awarded an Honourable Mention from Art Guide.

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

Image: Reflection, Stacey de Natris, Acrylic on paper, 34x26.5cm.

CATALYST
BONNIE-JEAN WHITLOCK

SUPPORTED BY FRAME OF MIND

Brunswick Street Gallery is pleased to present an Honourable Mention Prize to Bonnie-Jean Whitlock for their piece Catalyst, as supported by the team at Frame of Mind Framing.

Of this work, Frame of Mind's Felix von Dallwitz said in a statement:

'I really enjoyed the flowing lines in Bonnie's painting and the texture of the ink blending into the weave of the linen. The colours and movement lend to a psychedelic doggy fever dream. The unique style of the painting really stood out to me and I look forward to framing some of her paintings!'

Congratulations to Bonnie-Jean Whitlock, awarded an Honourable Mention as selected by Frame of Mind Framing.

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

Image: Catalyst, Bonnie-Jean Whitlock, Oil and ink on linen, 30x30cm.

SMALL PIE DISH
FLORENTINA MUNTEANU

SUPPORTED BY FITZROY PAINTING

Brunswick Street Gallery is pleased to present an Honourable Mention Prize to Florentina Munteanu for their piece Small Pie Dish, as supported by the team at Fitzroy Painting.

Of this work, Fitzroy Painting's Adriane Strampp said in a statement:

'Whilst seemingly simple in composition, Florentina Munteanu's work Small Pie Dish displays a more complex dialogue between abstraction and figuration.

Her skillful paint application is considered without being overworked, and displays a strong understanding of colour and values that make for an active and interesting surface whilst maintaining a sense of stillness, fitting for its humble subject.'

Congratulations to Florentina Munteanu, awarded an Honourable Mention as selected by Fitzroy Painting.

This Honourable Mention winner will be awarded a voucher for their fine art classes.

Image: Small Pie Dish, 2024, Florentina Munteanu, Oil on Linen, 28x19cm.

ACROSS THE HORIZON
DARIO MASCOLO

SUPPORTED BY PRISM IMAGING

Brunswick Street Gallery is pleased to present an Honourable Mention Prize to Dario Mascolo for their piece Across The Horizon, as supported by the team at Prism Imaging.

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

'Our selected work is the abstract photograph Across The Horizon by Dario Mascolo. The artist's thoughtful composition and muted colour palette create a dreamy mood, and the use of rag paper further enhances the painterly quality of the photograph.'

Congratulations to Dario Mascolo, awarded an Honourable Mention as selected by Prism Imaging.

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

Image: Across The Horizon, Dario Mascolo, Archival pigment print, Photo Rag paper, Oak frame, 14.5x22cm.

SEDUCTION OF A PAINTING
DAGNY STRAND

SUPPORTED BY ART BOARDS AUSTRALIA

Brunswick Street Gallery is pleased to present an Honourable Mention Prize to Dagny Strand for their piece Seduction of a Painting, as supported by the team at Art Boards Australia.

Seduction of a Painting is a playful commentary on the varied approaches to viewing art within a gallery environment. Viewing artwork becomes an intimate, almost dance-like act: approaching from all angles, standing back, and leaning in. The artist has captured the alluring tones, colours, and feelings that draw us right into an artwork.

Congratulations to Dagny Strand, awarded an Honourable Mention, supported by Art Boards Australia.

This Honourable Mention winner will receive a voucher for supplies and materials from Art Boards Australia.

Image: Seduction of a Painting, Dagny Strand, oil on canvas board, 31x34cm.

TO BE DECIDED BY YOU!

SUPPORTED BY ART SHED

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 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.