Art exploring disability and labour wins $25,000 National Art Prize
Sunshine Coast artist Amanda Bennetts has won $25,000 and the biennial Girra: Fraser Coast National Art Prize for her 11-minute video artwork Carve Crevice from Grace, announced at the exhibition’s official launch on the weekend.
Fraser Coast Regional Council Arts spokesperson Cr Michelle Govers said Ms Bennetts’ video is a striking exploration of labour, productivity and usefulness through the lens of living with disability.
“Shaped by her own experience with multiple sclerosis and a rare muscular disease, Amanda’s work is a remarkable piece of art that embodies everything this national prize stands for,” she said.
“In the film, Amanda methodically chisels and breaks apart a large sandstone block, echoing the erosion of both body and landscape under extractive systems. It’s powerful and moving.”
Carve Crevice from Grace was originally commissioned by Accessible Arts and the Sydney Opera House. It will now join the Hervey Bay Regional Gallery collection alongside works by other leading Australian artists.
Cr Govers said this year’s prize attracted more than 250 entries nationwide, with the winner chosen by a respected judging panel including Waanyi artist Judy Watson, Michelle Newton, Head of Visual Arts, Creative Australia and Sarah Thomson, Director of Hervey Bay Regional Gallery.
Co-judge Michelle Newton described Ms Bennetts’ piece as a compelling performance that highlights the futility of labour under capitalism.
“With the artist herself as protagonist, the work is characterised by a ritualised, Sisyphean endeavour - breaking up sandstone in a task that resists logic or resolution,” she said.
“It becomes a poetic encounter, where the inexplicability of her actions adds a layer of unexpected humour and poignancy.”
Hervey Bay Regional Gallery Director Sarah Thomson said Girra provides an incredible opportunity for the Fraser Coast to showcase spectacular artworks from across the country that address our relationship with the environment.
“I hope visitors will enjoy seeing so many different perspectives and mediums represented in the finalists’ exhibition, spanning painting, glass, ceramics, photography, video and even kinetic sculpture,” she said.
“Residents can now vote for their favourite artwork in the Hervey Bay Boat Club People’s Choice Award. The winning artist will receive $2,000, with votes accepted at the gallery until 16 November.”
The Strange Kinship exhibition was also launched alongside Girra, featuring Australian and international artists exploring human–animal connections through mythology, spirituality and encounters with non-human life.
Both exhibitions will run from 23 August to 16 November 2025, with free entry.
The gallery is open Tuesday to Friday, 10am to 4pm, and weekends, 10am to 2pm.
For more details, visit: https://hbrg.ourfrasercoast.com.au/
The National Art Prize is sponsored by Fraser Coast Regional Council, Hervey Bay Boat Club and IAS.