The Royal Queensland Art Society (RQAS) Brisbane Branch has announced local artist Kate Marek as the winner of the inaugural Queen’s Wharf Brisbane Art Prize, unveiled at a glittering awards night at The Star Brisbane Event Centre.
Chosen from a field of 45 exceptional finalists, Marek received the $20,000 prize from Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM, Governor of Queensland and Patron of the RQAS. Her winning artwork, Moments and Memories, captivated judges and audiences alike with its poetic depiction of Brisbane’s landscape and spirit.
A River of Memories
Best known for her evocative landscape paintings, Marek’s prize-winning work comprises nine separate panels—each a visual fragment of her lived experience along the Brisbane River.
“Some were referenced from childhood memories, others from significant personal moments,” Marek explained, noting that two panels commemorate the floods she has lived through.
“The river has continually shaped Brisbane’s history and I think that to live in Brisbane is to live with the river,” she reflected. “Having always lived in the western suburbs, no more than five minutes’ walk from some part of the river, it has had a huge impact on my life—both joyful and devastating at times.”
Judges’ Reflections
Judges Dr Kay Kane, Bruce Heiser, and Jun Chen described Moments and Memories as “a very powerful work.”
“The assemblage of nine separate paintings in a single composition makes a strong, immediate impression on the viewer,” they said. “The various views of the river at different times of the day make it very evocative of our Queensland capital. Brisbane is called the River City, after all.”
Two additional artists were recognised with Highly Commended Awards of $5,000 each:
- Julie Purcell for Voir
- Beverley Tainton for Tropical Dome
Celebrating Brisbane Through Art
The Queen’s Wharf Brisbane Art Prize drew 187 entries from across Queensland, each telling a unique story of the city through visual expression. The result is a collection that celebrates the beauty, culture, and identity of Brisbane and its surrounds.
RQAS Brisbane Branch President Brent O’Neill praised the success of the initiative:
“This prize not only celebrates the incredible talent of our local artists but also deepens our connection to Brisbane through the power of art,” he said. “It’s the result of a dynamic partnership between RQAS, The Star, and Queen’s Wharf Brisbane—organisations united in nurturing creativity and cultural expression as the city looks toward its Olympic future.”
A New Platform for Queensland Artists
Daniel Finch, CEO of The Star Brisbane, echoed the sentiment:
“We are proud to support this exciting new platform for Queensland artists. The calibre of submissions was outstanding, and the judges certainly had their work cut out for them,” he said.
“Congratulations to the winners and all who contributed entries—this prize is a celebration of Brisbane’s artistic heartbeat, and we’re honoured to showcase the winning piece and other finalists in our state-of-the-art Event Centre.”
Exhibition Details
The winning works and a curated selection of finalists are now on display at The Star Brisbane Event Centre, where visitors can view and purchase the artworks over the coming month.
For more information about the Queen’s Wharf Brisbane Art Prize, visit www.rqas.com.au or contact:
Royal Queensland Art Society, Brisbane Branch
