small works art prize
2023 winners

Brunswick Street Gallery is proud to announce the winners of the 2023 Small Works Art Prize.

Featuring over 1000 measuring no greater than 35x35x35cm, the Small Works Art Prize brings together artists of diverse practices from all over Australia and beyond.

Brunswick Street Gallery would like to thank our esteemed guest judge and Contemporary and Public Art Curator Olivia Poloni, Visual Arts Curator at Wyndham Art Gallery (Wyndham City Council) with her assistance in the selection of our First and Second Prize winners.

We would also like to thank Craft Victoria, Frame of Mind Framing and Art Shed for their selections, support and generous sponsorship of this national art prize.

Finally, an enormous congratulations to all of the artists who are exhibited as part of this year's Small Works Art Prize – whose works transform our gallery each year, showcasing the breadth of talent and multiplicity of art practices, on show for all of the community to enjoy.

First Prize – $4000 cash prize (non-acquisitive)

form and colour
melissa jean harvey

Brunswick Street Gallery is pleased to announce the First Prize winner as Melissa Jean Harvey for their artwork Form and Colour. 

Statement from the Artist:

‘This work is a playful investigation into form, colour and texture using recycled materials found and gifted from my local community is the inner west of Sydney. The pulp medium used to create this work is made from recycled cotton clothing beaten down and pressed into discarded plastic packaging to create 'Form and Colour’.’

Of this work, esteemed judge Olivia Poloni said:

‘The work Form and Colour was a clear stand out in the prize as not only does it show the artist's skilful hand and eye, creating an esthetically impressive work, but also conceptually and technically considers contemporary ethical artmaking now and into the future.’

– Olivia Poloni

Congratulations to Melissa Jean Harvey, awarded the First Prize, as selected by Olivia Poloni, Visual Arts Curator at Wyndham Art Gallery (Wyndham City Council).

The First Prize winner will receive a $4000 Cash Prize (non-acquisitive).

Image: Form and Colour, Melissa Jean Harvey, Recycled cotton clothing, 35x25cm.

second prize – $1000 cash prize (non-acquisitive)

XVI THe tower
kasey scott

Brunswick Street Gallery is pleased to announce the Second Prize winner as Kasey Scott for their artwork XVI The Tower. 

Statement from the Artist:

‘XVI The Tower’ references the tarot card The Tower. This work draws upon a significant tower moment in my life. The intention for this work is to portray my experiences with having a condition that causes mental volatility, represented through a form that is simultaneously collapsing and holding up.’

Of this work, esteemed judge Olivia Poloni said:

‘‘XVI The Tower’ is a sensitive, contemplative and personal piece. The work visually and conceptually marks both the vulnerability and strength of living with mental illness.’

– Olivia Poloni

Congratulations to Kasey Scott, awarded the Second Prize, as selected by Olivia Poloni, Visual Arts Curator at Wyndham Art Gallery (Wyndham City Council).

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

Image: XVI The Tower, Kasey Scott, Porcelain, 19x20cm.

Brunswick Street Gallery Prize 

untitled study (phone call)
peter tankey

Selected by our curatorial team, The Brunswick Street Gallery 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 2023-24 exhibition schedule.

With this, Brunswick Street Gallery is pleased to present a Brunswick Street Gallery Prize to Peter Tankey for their painting Untitled Study (Phone Call).

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

‘During the install process, our curators were drawn to Peter Tankey’s Untitled Study (Phone Call). Its enigmatic use of light and composition place the viewer at the scene of an accident, depicting the unfolding chaos of a car crash. Onlookers are ominously illuminated by the intense red of taillights, with an unseen car’s headlights casting a cinematic spotlight on the emergency call taking place. With these key elements, Tankey’s painting demonstrates how a powerful narrative can stretch beyond the frame, prompting the viewer to ask questions as they observe as passive witness to the scene. A deftly painted study, we are excited to see this body of work develop as the recipient of the Brunswick Street Gallery solo exhibition prize.’

Congratulations to Peter Tankey, awarded a Brunswick Street Gallery Prize as selected by the Brunswick Street Gallery’s Director Sean Smith, Gallery Manager Jacqui Burnes, Gallery Coordinator Woody Mellor and Gallery Administrator Chloe Caday.

The Brunswick Street Gallery Prize winner will be awarded a $1500 contribution towards a solo exhibition at Brunswick Street Gallery in 2023-24.

Image: Untitled Study (Phone Call), Peter Tankey, oil on canvas, 28x33cm framed.

OBJECT Prize
supported by craft victoria 

sodalite
aileen corbett

Brunswick Street Gallery is pleased to present the Object Prize to Aileen Corbett for their ceramic sculpture Sodalite, as selected by Craft Victoria.

Of their selection, Craft Victoria said:

‘Craft Victoria are very happy to award ceramic artist Aileen Corbett an Object Prize in this year’s Small Works Art Prize. We were immediately drawn to ‘Sodalite’ which demonstrates the artist’s skill and distinct aesthetic along with a playful modern influcence. The proportions are *chef’s kiss*.’

Congratulations to Aileen Corbett, awarded the Object Prize as selected by Craft Victoria.

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

Image: Sodalite, Aileen Corbett, Glazed stoneware and tinted alumina, 21x18.5x15cm.

OBJECT Prize 
supported by craft victoria

puddles
hannah mckellar

Brunswick Street Gallery is pleased to present an Object Prize to Hannah McKellar for their textile and embroidery sculpture Puddles, as selected by Craft Victoria.

Of their selection, Craft Victoria said:

‘Craft Victoria are thrilled to nominate an additional prize in this year’s Small Works Art Prize, and are pleased to award Hannah McKellar for her intricate and colourful textile arrangement ‘Puddles’.’

Congratulations to Hannah McKellar, awarded the Object Prize as selected by Craft Victoria.

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

Image: Puddles, Hannah McKellar, hand embroidered soft sculptures, linen, cotton, wire, 22x22x8cm.

wall Prize
supported by frame of mind

come in, we’re open
chira grasby

Brunswick Street Gallery is pleased to present the Wall Prize to Chira Grasby for their painting Come In, We’re Open, as supported by the team at Frame of Mind Framing.

Statement from the Artist:

‘Come In, We’re Open’ is part of a body of works exploring Pan-Asian supermarkets, in particular my childhood memories of them as a mixed Asian diaspora growing up in Australia.

Of this work, the judges from Frame of Mind said:

‘We were drawn to the interesting subject matter and contrasting motifs in Chira Grasby’s ‘Come In, We’re Open’. We were impressed with the painting technique and detail of the work given its size, and look forward to framing one of Chira's works in the future!’

Congratulations to Chira Grasby, awarded the Wall Prize as supported by Frame of Mind Framing.

The Wall Prize winner will be awarded a Frame of Mind voucher for their framing services.

Image: Come In, We’re Open, Chira Grasby, oil on pine, 15x15cm

people’s choice award

untitled
Songha Kim

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!

This year the people have chosen Untitled, a formation of bronze objects by Songha Kim.

‘Untitled’ is a series of shapes that represent “safe shapes” to me. They look pointy and cold from first glance but from different angles they form shelter like spaces. The solidness of the bronze create strong walls that can protect and endure the everyday.’

The winner of the People’s Choice Award will receive a $150 voucher from Art Shed – a leading supplier of fine art materials.

Congratulations to Songha Kim, Winner of the People’s Choice Award, supported by Art Shed.

The 2023 Small Works Art Prize is proudly supported by: