Royal Queensland Art Society Queen’s Wharf Brisbane Art Prize Awards Night

Minister for Education and the Arts, the Honourable John-Paul Langbroek MP; Shadow Minister for Trade, Shadow Minister for Industrial Relations, Shadow Minister for Olympic and Paralympic Games, Shadow Minister for Racing and Member for McConnel, the Honourable Grace Grace MP; Member for Cooper, Ms Jonty Bush MP; Representing the Lord Mayor of Brisbane, Councillor Vicki Howard; Councillor for Paddington Ward, Councillor Seal Chong Wah; Royal Queensland Art Society Brisbane Branch President, Ms Margaret Thomas; Society staff and judges; sponsors and supporters; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen.

I begin by acknowledging the Original Custodians of the lands around Brisbane, the Turrbal and Jagera people, and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and to any First Nations people here tonight.

As Governor and proud Patron of the Royal Queensland Art Society, I am delighted to join you for this year’s Queen’s Wharf Brisbane Art Prize Awards, now in their second year. These Awards give Queensland artists a wonderful opportunity to depict their love of the Greater Brisbane area through their creative lenses.

This year is particularly special for the Society as it marks the centenary of being granted its Royal prefix by King George V in 1926. I congratulate the Society on reaching this remarkable milestone and thank everyone past and present who has contributed to its enduring success.

Government House continues to proudly display works from the Society, with 10 exceptional pieces by artists Dr Kay Kane, Peter Hubbard, Graham Smith, Beverley Tainton, Esther Austin, Greg De Silva, Richard Blundell, and Max Butler currently on loan.

I commend all of those associated with the Queen’s Wharf Art Prize Awards for playing an important role in giving artists the recognition they deserve, and I acknowledge all the artists who put their work forward and congratulate those who made it through as finalists.  

I thank the talented judges who had the unenviable task of choosing tonight’s winners and extend my appreciation to all those who made this event possible.

Tonight we are honoured to have a glimpse of some of these exceptional works, which capture everyday moments that shape our identity and our experience of public places and sacred spaces.

As Patron, I congratulate the Royal Queensland Art Society for its enduring and impactful commitment to nurturing and shaping our state’s talent and landscape.

On behalf of all Queenslanders, I thank all exhibiting artists nominated as finalists and extend my congratulations in advance to tonight’s winners, who will be announced shortly.

Please enjoy this special celebratory evening.