While Duchamp’s “readymades” had already removed the artist’s hand from making, Maurizio Cattelan went one step further by selecting an object requiring no human manufacture at all. Although Cattelan’s Comedian was initially received as a provocation, it marked a significant step in the evolution of art. A natural, indeed perishable, object acquired extraordinary value through context alone.
This exhibition takes that proposition as its point of departure, but not its conclusion. This body of work considers value as something assigned rather than inherent. Beginning with the proposition that an ordinary object can become art through designation alone, the series follows that idea into a range of cultural, political and historical contexts.
The works suggest that value is never fixed; it moves with context, authorship, belief, politics, institutions and time. And when value is malleable, it can be reassigned and reassessed. A banana can be recast as a porcelain artefact. Does taping an object to a masterpiece add or subtract value? Iconic paintings become sites of negotiation rather than fixed points of reverence.
Canonical artworks can be interrupted, everyday objects can be recast in materials usually reserved for monuments, familiar symbols are repaired, concealed or reconfigured, and historical narratives are measured against contemporary values. History itself is revalued as changing social attitudes reshape the meaning of images once accepted without question. Each work asks the same underlying question from a different direction - who decides what is worth preserving, celebrating or believing?
Rather than critiquing contemporary art, the exhibition examines the systems that produce cultural authority. Markets, museums, collectors, religion and national histories all rely on acts of collective belief. The works occupy the point at which those beliefs become visible. Whether value is created through skill, material, reputation, intervention or simple agreement remains unresolved, suggesting that the distinction between the priceless and the ordinary is less certain than we might like to believe.
The John Leslie Prize 2026 - Finalist
I’m so very pleased to be a finalist in the John Leslie Art Prize Gippsland Art Gallery, with my painting "You Have Arrived"
Once upon a time, the cautionary fairy tales of Little Red Riding Hood and Hansel & Gretel were used as warnings about the mysteries lurking beyond the known surroundings.
Not any more. The “Tech Bros” are endeavouring to map, scour, document, and conquer every inch of the planet. Now, satellites, GPS, and endless data assure us that we’ve arrived. But… have we really? The remoteness of the location calls into question both the technology and the motives behind it. And perhaps poses the question that answers we seek are not to be found in an algorithm.
📍 John Leslie Prize
📅 Exhibition Dates: Sep 4 - Nov 22 2026
📍 Venue: Gippsland Art Gallery, Sale, VIC
Finalist in the 2025 Calleen Art Award
I’m delighted to announce that my painting #singlelife has been selected as a finalist in the prestigious 2025 Calleen Art Award at Cowra Regional Art Gallery.
This work is from my highly collected series Five Minutes To Famous, inspired by some of the most banal yet popular social media hashtags. In it, I hold up a mirror to our obsession with curated digital personas by reimagining classical stone figures. Renaissance-inspired realism collides with surrealist twists, as sculptural muses are overlaid with the silliest Instagram and Snapchat filters. These figures parody our relentless drive to capture an idealised life while often missing the essence of carpe diem.
Being selected for this prize again carries special meaning for me. After many years since my last inclusion—and several unsuccessful attempts in between—it is both a relief and a source of pride to be recognised once more.
The Calleen Art Award exhibition runs from 14 September to 3 November 2025 at Cowra Regional Art Gallery.
The Sorrento Art Prize 2025 - Finalist
My painting "You Have Arrived" has been selected as a finalist in the $125,000 Sorrento Art Prize! 🎉
Once upon a time, the cautionary fairy tales of Little Red Riding Hood and Hansel & Gretel were used as warnings about the mysteries lurking beyond the known surroundings.
Not any more. The “Tech Bros” are endeavouring to map, scour, document, and conquer every inch of the planet. Now, satellites, GPS, and endless data assure us that we’ve arrived. But… have we really? The remoteness of the location calls into question both the technology and the motives behind it. And perhaps poses the question that answers we seek are not to be found in an algorithm.
I’m beyond honoured to have my work featured alongside some of Australia’s most compelling contemporary artists, many of whom I’m lucky to call friends.
📍 Sorrento Art Prize
📅 Exhibition Dates: 28 June - 31 August 2025
📍 Venue: & Gallery, Sorrento, VIC
🔗 More info: andgalleryaustralia.net
I’m Honored to Be a Finalist in the STILL: National Still Life Award 2025
I’m thrilled to share that my work has been selected as a finalist for STILL: National Still Life Award 2025, Yarrila Arts and Museum’s prestigious biennial prize celebrating contemporary still life.
My piece features an Adonis statue surrounded by Instagram-style heart emojis - a playful yet sharp take on how modern celebrity culture mirrors ancient idolatry. It’s part of my Five Minutes To Famous series, where classical figures strike absurd, hashtag-inspired poses, blending Renaissance art with surreal humor. The intention is to explore the contradictions of our digital age - how we chase validation through curated personas while missing the real moments. This work is a cheeky nudge to laugh at ourselves and maybe rethink what truly matters.
The exhibition opens Saturday, 6 September, with winners announced that evening. Huge thanks to Yarrila Arts and Museum for this incredible opportunity, and congrats to all the talented finalists!
STILL 2025 runs from 6 September – 16 November. Hope to see you there!
The Naked and The Nude Art Prize - Finalist
Thrilled to be named a finalist once again in the Naked & Nude Art Prize — a significant biennial celebration of the human form and artistic expression.
Honoured to be included among such talented artists for the second consecutive time!
Exhibition opens 31 August at the Manning Regional Art Gallery.
The Dean Cogle Art Prize 2025 - Finalist
I'm thrilled to share that my painting #ourlittlemiracle has been selected as a finalist in the 2024 Dean Cogle Art Prize.
This work is part of my ongoing Five Minutes to Famous series, which draws from the most overused and sentimental hashtags on social media—here, unpicking the idea that every child is the world’s most perfect and miraculous being.
By reimagining a classical stone child sculpture with a modern Instagram face filter, #ourlittlemiracle blends Renaissance-inspired realism with absurd digital veneers. It holds a mirror to our obsession with curated digital identities and the often performative nature of how we record our lives online.
Opening Night Details
Date: 12th July - 5th August 2025
Venue: Dust Temple Gallery
Address: 54 Currumbin Creek Rd, Currumbin Waters, QLD 4223
The BAMM Biennale Portrait Prize 2025
I’m pleased to share that my work #atonement has been selected as a finalist in the BAMM Biennale Portrait Prize.
My portrait responds to the legacy of abuse and mismanagement in the church - specifically the institutional efforts to obscure and rebrand that history. A deliberately silly Instagram face filter was painted on a bust of one of the more corrupt cardinals, to highlight the dissonance between the seriousness of the Church’s abuses and the superficial attempts to rehabilitate their public image.
The exhibition opens 6 June at Bank Art Museum Moree and runs until 19 July.
Lethbridge Landscape Prize 2025
I am thrilled to announce I’m a finalist in the 2025 Lethbridge Landscape Prize.
The Details:
Exhibition: 9–25 May 2025
Where: Lethbridge Gallery, 36 Latrobe Tce, Paddington
This year’s $30,000 prize celebrates 5 years of pushing landscapes beyond postcards - think bold, weird indeed, where the earth and imagination intersect. From the classic to the my kind of quirky, this prize embraces all interpretations of the Aussie landscape - from the traditional to the unexpected, from the grand to the finely detailed.
The Flanagan Art Prize 2025
I’m honoured to be one of the artists shortlisted a finalist in The Flanagan Art Prize for my work #singlelife
Inspired by the most banal, derided and yet inexplicably popular social media hashtags, this piece is part of my highly collected series, Five Minutes To Famous.
I hold up a mirror to our obsession with curated digital personas by reimagining classical stone figures, by blending Renaissance-inspired realism with surrealist twists, overlaying their traditional poses with the silliest Instagram and snapchat face filters. These sculptural muses parody our relentless drive to document an idealized life while often missing the essence of carpe diem. By merging art history with modern absurdity, I hope to engage audiences in an introspective experience that is both visually striking and invites viewers to reflect upon their own online façades.
Exhibition: 21-23 March, St Patrick’s College Ballarat. Gala opening: 21 March.
Who’s Hot & Collectable Top 100: 2025
I'm absolutely thrilled to share that I’ve been included for the third time in a row in the prestigious Who’s Hot & Collectable Top 100 list! It’s such an honor to be recognized once again, especially alongside so many incredibly talented friends and contemporaries whom I admire and respect immensely.
Feeling truly grateful for this moment and for everyone who has supported me on this adventure - especially as I navigate my sixth (and hopefully final!) career.
Here’s to more creativity, connection, and, ideally, choosing a career path early to save a little time… but hey, who’s counting?
Collie Art Prize 2025 - Finalist
Thrilled to be a Collie Art Prize Finalist with this painting; Pure Illumination
I’m over the moon to share that my artwork has been selected as a finalist in this prestigious Western Australian Prize!
Being recognised among so many incredible artists is both an honor and personal accomplishment.
Contrary to perception, this is not really about inspiration; It is a journey of hard work layered upon a foundation of storytelling. And I’m endlessly grateful for the support of everyone who has cheered me on along the way.
A huge congratulations to all the finalists! Let’s celebrate art, creativity, and the very fact that prizes such as the Collie continue to exist!
Stanthorpe Art Prize 2024 - Finalist
I'm pleased to share that I was selected as a finalist in the 2024 Stanthorpe Art Prize, one of Queensland’s most respected regional art awards. The exhibition ran from 23 March to 18 November at the Stanthorpe Regional Art Gallery, showcasing works from artists across Australia.
While the major prize went to Melanie Sinclair for The Bogan’s Ballet, I’m honoured to be in the company of such accomplished artists and grateful to the gallery and judges for the opportunity to be part of this year’s exhibition.
Congratulations to all the winners and fellow finalists.
Top 100 Hottest & Most Collectable Artists 2024
Absolutely thrilled to share that I’ve been named one of the Top 100 Hottest & Most Collectable Artists for the third year in a row!
It’s such an honour to be recognised again—especially alongside so many incredibly talented friends and peers whom I deeply admire.
I’m feeling truly grateful for this moment and for everyone who’s supported me on this ever-evolving adventure—now in my sixth (and hopefully final!) career.
Here’s to more creativity, connection… and maybe choosing a career path a little earlier next time.
Arthur Guy Painting Prize
I am honoured that “Pure Responsibility” has been selected from almost 1000 entries nationally as a finalist in the highly-prestigious biannual Arthur Guy Memorial painting prize, which is held at the Bendigo Art Gallery from 25 November 2023 until 18 February 2024.
The laws of motion inherent in a Newton’s Cradles’ design align with the notion of action and reaction, making it the ultimate metaphor of executive control. “Pure Responsibility” expands this cliché to encompass decision and consequence, demand and culpability.
The analogy also extends to corporate decisions made in one location without consideration of the potential consequences elsewhere in the world, out of sight from the instigator. While the two events may not at first be obviously related, the explosive chain reaction exposes the undeniable link.
If only responsibility and accountability were so connected.
Held every two years, the Arthur Guy Memorial Painting Prize attracts some of Australia’s most accomplished artists, awarding an acquisitive cash prize of $50,000. The Prize provides Bendigo Art Gallery with the opportunity to survey a breadth of contemporary painting by established and emerging artists from across Australia. Previous winners include Stieg Persson, Dale Frank, Stephen Bush, Jan Nelson, Tim Johnson, Chris Bond, Guan Wei, Margaret Loy Pula, Jahnne Pascoe-White and Kirsty Budge.
During WWII Arthur Guy’s plane crashed in New Guinea while on an Australian Air Force mission delivering supplies to troops. He was 31. His brother Allen created the award in Guy’s honour.
Five Minutes to Famous exhibition opening
Solo Exhibition: 5 Minutes To Famous
I would be honoured if you could join me to launch my new Melbourne exhibition. Featuring 11 paintings, it is the final Australian exhibition of my series of sculptural works on mirrored aluminium.
Inspired by the most banal social media posts, historical figures break their classical poses to strut for the camera; shining a spotlight on the trend of fabulous nobodies who, for an imagined audience, curate a digital ‘best life’ version of themselves built on a foundation of smoke and mirrors.
Here's a digital catalogue https://heyzine.com/flip-book/446db670c1.html
When: From 22 September to 7 October, 2023
Opening: Friday, 22 September, 2023, 6-8pm
Where: Compendium Gallery, 909A High Street, Armadale Victoria
It would be lovely to see you, so I hope you can make it.
Top 100 Artists List
It’s a surprise and delight to discover I have been again included in the Top 100 Artists list of “Who’s Hot and Collectable in Australian Art.”
Compiled by a (mysterious) anonymous group of working artists, commentators, gallerists and collectors, the list contains an amazing group of artists, many of whom I am honoured to know as friends.
That photo from 7 years ago with the truely hideous haircut will, it seems, haunt me forever. But very happy to be included again in such esteemed company.
Museum Exhibition: Painting The Figure Now
It is truly an exceptional and humbling experience to have received such a monumental invitation to showcase my painting, "The Fatal Shore," in the highly acclaimed museum exhibition of the world's most eminent figurative painters: Painting The Figure Now.
This prestigious event is currently taking place at the Wausau Museum of Contemporary Art, Wisconsin, USA, from the 8th of September until the 28th of October.
Prizes: The Tatiara Art Prize
This painting "La Preca - Jacquemus", one of three from the La Preca triptych, has been selected as a finalist in the Tatiara Art Prize.
Judging is by Lauren Mustillo, Visual Art Manager at Country Arts SA, Rebecca Evans, Curator of Decorative Arts and Design at the Art Gallery of South Australia and Joshua White, Director of the Hamilton Art Gallery. It's on at the Walkway Gallery and runs from 16 September until 11 November.