2023 First Nations Art Competition
Applications NOW OPEN!
Applications for Southern Queensland Landscapes and University of Southern Queensland's 2023 First Nations Art Competition are NOW OPEN! First Nation artists from the 28 Nations in Southern Queensland are invited to enter for the chance to win from a total prize pool of $18,000*.
There is a Junior and Senior Category, so artists from 11 years of age are eligible to enter and artworks from a range of mediums are being accepted including 2-dimensional paintings, 3-dimensional sculptures and contemporary digital artworks.
APPLY NOW to enter. Applications close 2 June 2023.
* Full Terms & Conditions apply. To read the full Terms & Conditions click the button below.
Top of page artwork - 'Lemon Myrtle Bloom' by Melinda Luscombe
Interested in entering the 2023 competition?
Art tells the story of our landscapes, and connects us to our identity, our Country and our People. The 2023 First Nations Art Competition aims to give First Nations artists from the 28 Nations in our area an opportunity to share their art with others, and be recognised for their incredible talent.
There's $18,000* in prizes to be won. Learn more. And the theme of the 2023 First Nations Art Competition is GET UP, STAND UP, SHOW UP. Click here to learn more.
The competition is open to artists who identify as First Nations People from the 28 Nations in the Southern Queensland Landscapes area including Auburn Hawkwood, Badjiri, Barunggam, Bidjara, Bigambul, Boonthamurra/Bunthamarra, Budjiti, Djaku-nde/Jangerie Jangerie, Euahlayi/Yuwaalaraay, Gamilaraay/Gamilaroi/Kamilaroi, Giabul, Githabul, Kambuwal, Gunggari, Kooma, Iman, Jarowair, Kullilli, Kungardutyi, Punthamara, Kunja, Mandandanji, Mardigan, Morrawarri/Murrawarri, Palpamudramudra Yandrawandra, Wakka Wakka, Wangkumarra/Wongkumara, Western Bundjalung, and Western Wakka Wakka Nations and the entrant must have endorsement by an elder of the nation they identify with.
*Full
Terms and Conditions apply.
2023 Categories and prizes
Artists will be divided into two categories based on their age on 2 June 2023 (competition entry closing date). Category 1 is for artist’s between 11-18 years of age and Category 2, for artists over 18 years of age.
Under each category there are three medium types artists can enter including
2D, 3D and digital mediums. 2D pieces include paintings in oils, acrylics, watercolour and ochre. 3D pieces can be sculptures, weaving, glass and other 3-dimensional craft-work. And digital can include any software created paintings, photography, visual effects or even audio pieces. For more details view the full Terms & Conditions.
In each medium type (2D, 3D and Digital) there will be a First Prize of $1,500, a Runner’s Up prize of $750 and a Highly Commended Prize of $250 in art supplies. A Grand Prize winner will also be selected from the six First Prize Winners in the Junior and Senior Categories (Junior 2D, 3D, Digital and Senior 2D, 3D and Digital) with the overall Grand Prize winning $3,000.
For more details on the categories and prizes visit the First Nations Art Competition full
Terms & Conditions.
Get Up, Stand Up, Show Up!
The theme of the 2023 First Nations Art Competition is 'Get Up, Stand Up, Show Up!' based upon the 2022 NAIDOC Week theme.
'Get up, Stand up, Show up! calls for stronger measures to recognise, protect and maintain all aspects of First Nations culture and heritage. It's also a call to celebrate the many who have driven and led change in our communities over generations.
The NAIDOC theme 'Get Up, Stand Up, Show Up!' invites the nation to embrace Aboriginal cultural knowledge and understanding of Country as part of Australia's national heritage. For more information on the theme click here
2023 First Nations Art Competition Judges
Uncle Colin Jones
First Nations Artist
"Colin Jones was born in 1947 in Ipswich, Queensland, and is of Kaladoon and Nunuckle tribal descent. Colin’s Aboriginal name is Ko-Ro, which means Brolga wings. As a young boy, Colin learned to paint from his grandfather.
Besides painting, Colin teaches history and culture all over the world. He has taught at University of Honolulu and University of Hilo, Hawaii as well as Germany, France and England. He has also lectured at the UN. Currently, Colin helps troubled youths at Goori house, an addiction treatment centre in Queensland.
Colin’s art has been exhibited in leading galleries in Europe, America, Great Britain and Australia."
Sue McMaster
Owner of Murray's Art and Framing
Sue McMaster is the owner of Toowoomba art supplies and framing store Murray's Art and Framing.
"As an experienced portrait painter, Sue has developed a hyper-real meets pop art style through her explorations of contemporary art, while studying B.Cr.Arts at USQ. Sue has exhibited in group shows over the last 20 years and exhibited at TRAG 2011 & 2014."
Uncle Wayne Fossey
University of Southern Queensland
Uncle Wayne Fossey is an Aboriginal man connected to Yugambeh/Bunjalung and to Central QLD.
As a teacher and administrator in secondary schools across the state, Catholic and private systems Uncle Wayne worked consistently to develop the Arts focus in education. He has formal qualification in education and environmental sciences, and is actively involved in Bunya People’s Aboriginal Corporation and Aboriginal groups.
As Elder in residence at UniSQ he has had the opportunity to engage with a range of students, lecturers and community artists, and has been involved with judging and art instillations.
First Nations People
Artworks featured in this slideshow include: 'Heal The Country' by Jarryd Lawton, 'Wildflowers on Gwamu Country' by Bill Speedy, 'Healing Country - Regeneration' by Michael Connolly, 'Lifeblood' by Peta Richardson, 'Crosshatch Fish' by Tareque Chapman, and Guyumba' by Isabel Natividad.
Indigenous Art Code
Southern Queensland Landscapes is a member of the Indigenous Art Code which is about ensuring that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists are given a fair go.
The Indigenous Art Code administers a voluntary industry Code of Conduct (known as The Code), which outlines a set of rules and guidelines that dealers (both Indigenous and non-Indigenous businesses) commit to follow to ensure ethical practices and fair treatment of artists.
The Code provides a standard for ethical conduct of dealers of Indigenous visual arts. it also defines clear standards for dealings between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander visual artists and art dealers to deliver:
- Fair and ethical trade in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander visual artwork
- Transparency in the process of promoting and selling authentic artwork
- Efficiency and fairness in how disputes are dealt with
To find out more about the Indigenous Art Code click the LEARN MORE button below.
Competition documents
2023 First Nations Art Competition Application Form
You can fill the form out online or call our office up and we will help you complete the form over the phone. Please note you won't be able to save your progress and come back. If you need clarification on anything in the Competition Terms & Conditions please contact Breanna Humes on (07) 4620 0111 or via art@sqlandscapes.org.au