PICTURED (L to R):
Cr Elliot Hilse, RMOA Curator Shanna Muston, Cr Marika Taylor, Bayton Award winner Emma Ward, Bayton Award runner-up Yvonne Elton, Cr Shane Latcham.
Rockhampton artist Emma Ward has won The Bayton Award 2025 in a ceremony at Rockhampton Museum of Art (RMOA) over the weekend.
Her work Judges judging judgers (After Von Max, Davinci and Cattelan. Ward walks into a bar….) is a painting exploring being an artist, art history, judgement and how this is also present in broader society through online scrutiny and social media.
The painting was chosen from 48 finalist entries created by 40 artists residing in the wider Central Queensland region. Rockhampton art lovers can see all the finalist entries on show at RMOA now.
The winners were selected by Brian Robinson, an accomplished Australian artist, renowned for his printmaking, sculpture, and public art.
Mr Robinson said of the winner:
"Ward's work was chosen as the winning piece for a number of reasons. It is an amazingly narrative work that comments on the act of being judged, being critiqued and the social implications that follow, both good and bad. The act of looking over the work, its composition, its painterly quality is rewarded by its connections to art history and the satire, humour, and wit the artist conveys in the work. It evokes visual memories of Cassius Coolidge's Dogs playing poker as well as others that place the animal kingdom in the fore. The gaze of the primates on the taped banana, referencing Cattelan's Comedian (2019) takes centre stage."
The Bayton Award was named after The Right Reverend John Bayton, who was the Chair of Rockhampton Art Gallery's Art Acquisition Fund in 1975. An artist in his own right, he was instrumental in establishing Rockhampton's collection of nationally significant artworks.
The Bayton Award provides a number of prize categories:
Emma Ward will receive $10,000 cash prize.
In addition to the winner, prizes have been awarded for:
The Bayton Award Runner-Up: $5,000 awarded to Yvonne Elton (Moloney-Law)
Chris Warby Emerging Artist Bursary Ages 15-30 x 2: $1000 each awarded to:
Maverick Dunbar and Frances Thompson.
Mini Bayton Competition
∙ Harrison Buchholz, Ages 5-9: Art materials prize pack to the value of $100
∙ Thiago Servidoni Ages 10-14: Art materials prize pack to the value of $100
Mark Angus, Geoffrey Head, Martin Schlick and Linda Weedon also received honourable mentions from Judge Brian Robinson.
The Bayton Award People's Choice: $1000 will be awarded at the close of the exhibition, based on public votes.
The biennial art prize, organised by Rockhampton Museum of Art, is open to artists working with all form of art media residing in Central Queensland.
Rockhampton Regional Council Communities and Heritage Spokesperson Cr Drew Wickerson said that The Bayton Award was an exciting time for local artists.
"The Bayton Award is a great opportunity for artists in the wider Central Queensland area to shine, and Council is very happy to have created and continue to deliver this award," he said.
"We have some truly talented artists living within our region and the Bayton Award is an important institution which recognises and celebrates their talent, commitment and work," he said.
"I am particularly pleased to note that this year sees introduction of the Mini Bayton initiative, for entrants aged 5 to 14 years. The Mini Bayton helps support young artists in their creative journey.
"Since its inception in 2012, the Bayton Award has become a much anticipated regional art prize for artists in our area.
"I would like to congratulate the winners and thank all entrants in The Bayton Award 2025.
"While the winners have been announced, there is still one very important prize that needs public input: The People's Choice Award. I encourage people to come and see the Finalist Exhibition and vote for their favourite artwork," Cr Wickerson said.
The Bayton Award 2025 Finalist Exhibition will be on display until 15 February 2026 at Rockhampton Museum of Art. Artworks will be for sale.
Finalists in the Mini Bayton Competition will be on display in the Margaret Olley Trust Collection Study Room.
