Calleen Art Award 2025 – Finalists Exhibition

Byron Bay artist Konstantina wins $30,000 prize with debut entry

First-time finalist Konstantina (Kate Constantine) has claimed the prestigious Calleen Art Award 2025 with her powerful painting Nangamay Ngura, exploring songlines connecting Gadigal Country to Kati Thanda (Lake Eyre). The acrylic work beat 396 other entries to win Australia’s premier regional painting competition.

Judge Kent Buchanan praised the work’s “colour, technical precision, and deep cultural knowledge,” with the painting becoming the 50th work in the Calleen Collection. Three artists received Highly Commended: Graham Lupp (NSW), Joel Tonks (NSW), and Luke Wagner (Tasmania).

Exhibition runs until 5 October 2025
Cowra Regional Art Gallery, 77 Darling Street, Cowra
Open: Tues-Sat 10am-4pm, Sun 10am-2pm | Free admission
Vote for People’s Choice Award ($1,000 prize)

Winner Calleen Art Award 2025 acquisitive prize for painting, Konstantina, Nangamay Ngura 2024 acrylic on linen 120 x 90 cm image courtesy© the artist, Art Leven and Cowra Regional Art Gallery