Lilaea van der See has been awarded the 2025 River of Art Prize for their work When Stillness Dances…  Textile Installation – Botanical Printing on Silk.

More than 150 people filled the Mechanics Institute in Moruya on Friday evening to celebrate the launch of the River of Art Festival and hear the judges’ decision.

Judges Cath Bowdler and Tony Oates praised the winning entry as “an outstanding piece of work, noting that it might be a surprise. Tony and I circled around this one but we were drawn back to it as a fully realised complex work, and as we looked at the detail, all the elements work together and where assembled with care. Great skill and consideration.

The artist said: I’m honoured and humbled to receive the River of Art Prize. There are so many beautiful artists here, and it means a lot to have my work recognised. My artwork is about being in harmony with the land and with each other — creating something sustainable and different.

This dress was made from a single three-metre piece of fabric with no waste. The plants spoke to the fabric and created their own magic. I’ve been doing botanical eco-printing for over a decade, often using upcycled materials. For me, the process takes a lifetime of learning, not just weeks in the studio.”

Second Prize went to Felicite Briggs for The Stolen Pomegranates. The judges described the piece as a beautiful, technically excellent life drawing, intimate but glowing with life . Felicite gave her apologies as she was unable to attend the event.

This year, the Highly Commended Award came down to a very close decision between three exceptional works. After careful deliberation, the judges ultimately awarded Ritchey Sealy for Containment – an animated, painterly depiction of fire trucks at work.

The judges remarked that Containment powerfully captures the quiet heroism of containment efforts, while the artist shared: “This painting is deeply personal — it reflects my experience as a division commander during the 2019–20 fires and the lasting impact of post-traumatic stress. Rather than dramatize the flames, I chose to depict a containment line — the long, exhausting work of trying to manage the fire alongside crews from across the country.”

Also in strong contention were Waratah Lahy’s Overgrown and Lawrence Rimes’ Resting Dog. The judges noted that the decision was especially challenging and chose to recognise the work of an emerging local artist with this award.

The panel also wished to acknowledge several other outstanding works that impressed the judges:

• Geoffrey Odgers – Driftwood, Tuross Head
• Ian McKenzie – Mars Botanicus
• Gina Kalabishis – The Paths We Take
• Katherine Bolland – Bouquet No. 5

These works, while not taking home awards, were considered noteworthy for their skill, originality, and contribution to the overall strength of the exhibition.

River of Art Chair Corin Rossouw said this year’s Art Prize had attracted a record 130 entries from across Australia with 56 finalists hung.

“This year’s River of Art Prize sets a new benchmark for quality and innovation. The breadth of work – from painting, photography, and sculpture to textiles, glass, and jewellery – speaks to the extraordinary creative energy of our region and beyond. This exhibition is the Festival’s beating heart, and we warmly invite you to experience it across our shire, celebrate our artists, and cast your vote for the People’s Choice Award.”

 The River of Art Prize exhibition runs at the Mechanics Institute in Moruya until the end of the October long weekend. The

People’s Choice Award will be announced on Tuesday 7 October.

A Festival of Art and Creativity

The River of Art Festival — now in its 21st year — runs from 26 September to 6 October with almost 100 events stretching from Durras to Bermagui. The program features exhibitions, open studios, workshops, live music and performances, showcasing the best of the South Coast’s vibrant creative community.

The River of Art Prize is proudly supported by Community Bank Batemans Bay (Bendigo Bank), Mystery Bay Cottages. plus a supported solo exhibition at the Mechanics Institute from the Basil Sellars Exhibition Centre. Festival sponsors include the NSW Government through Destination NSW, Eurobodalla Shire Council, Fires to Flourish, Whale Coast Realty, and Catalina Country Club, alongside many local businesses.

Full program details: www.riverofart.com.au

About the Judges

• Cath Bowdler — academic, curator and artist based in Rosedale with more than 30 years’ experience working with Indigenous and non-Indigenous Former Director of Wagga Wagga Art Gallery and 24HR Art (now NCCA), Cath holds a PhD in Aboriginal Art and Culture from ANU.
• Tony Oates — Director of the Drill Hall Gallery in Canberra and Curator of Exhibitions at the ANU Drill Hall Gallery since 2004. An ANU graduate, Tony is a highly regarded curator with strong links to the South Coast.

Media Contacts

• Interviews available contact marketing@riverofart.com.au