A field of 61 of Western Australia’s finest artists competed for the Royal Agricultural Society of Western Australia’s (RASWA) Perth Royal Art Prize for Landscape. First Prize of $20,000 was awarded to André Lipscombe, for his exceptional work Crustose painting. This prestigious art prize highlights the depth of talent within the state, with both emerging and established artists shortlisted for the 2025 accolades.
The judging panel, Hiroshi Kobayashi, 2024 First Prize winner; Lia McKnight, Curator, John Curtin Gallery, Curtin University; and Sandra Murray, Perth Royal Art Prize Curator, noted the diversity and expertise of interpretations of the term ‘landscape’ and commended all the finalists.
The Prize, committed solely to landscape, was joined by two Highly Commended Awards, and an Emerging Artist Award. The Emerging Artist Award was presented to Breanna Vos for Archived, 2025
Highly Commended Awards were given to Troy Drill for his work Kangaroo fat dreaming, and Nicole Slatter (pictured above) for Remnant, with both works depicting landscapes from intriguing perspectives.
Sandra Murray, Perth Royal Art Prize Curator, said: “This is a celebration of our artists, our shared environment, and the many ways in which landscape inspires, provokes, and motivates. The innovative finalists’ works reflect landscapes that are geographic, political, ecological, abstract and imagined, all unified by a dedication to the genre and to artmaking itself.”
RASWA CEO Robyn Sermon commented on the significance of the annual prize. “For more than 50 years, the Perth Royal Art Prize has provided a platform for emerging and established artists from across the State. Through this competition, we continue to support and celebrate their creativity in one of WA’s most respected and sought-after art prizes.”
André Lipscombe, Perth Royal Art Prize Winner, said: “I am incredibly grateful for the honour of receiving this prize and I want to extend my deepest gratitude for the humbling and generous acknowledgment. I am delighted the judges have enjoyed the breadth of experimentation in my painting and recognise the embodiment of universal and interdependent processes inextricably together as occurs in nature.
“I want to express my heartfelt thanks to the Royal Agricultural Society of WA, the selection panel, particularly the Art Prize Curator Sandra Murray, the Judges and the entire art award team that has over many years, made a substantive commitment to the recognition of the intrinsic human values of handmade visual arts and the work of artists and makers in WA. Your efforts, during this time of the rise of artificial creativity, are welcome and much valued in the visual arts community.’’
The Prize is being shown at the Wilkinson Gallery, Claremont Showground, offering free access to the exhibition for art lovers, artists and the general public. Open 10am – 4pm daily, until September 7, with free admission and free parking, entry via Gate 1.
All artworks are available to view and purchase online at: perthroyalshow.com.au/competitions/perth-royal-art-prize/online-gallery
