Regional first—new media takes centre stage

The 2024 major prize winner, taking home $25,000, is Sydney-based artist Todd Fuller, with his video No use crying over ripped lace.

The compelling new media piece is seamlessly woven together, bringing together video, sketches, animation and voiceover.

Todd Fuller explained the work tells the story of a night out in 2017 when a post-performance kebab for three Sydney drag stars (Ivy League, Coco Jumbo and Vybe), ended in an altercation.

“Drag queens often take on the role of protectors for the LGBTQIA+ community, but in this case, they saved the life of Ivan Finn when they intervened in a gay-bashing,” Mr Fuller said.

“Told through the eyes of Coco Jumbo, this body of work marks another moment in history when drag queens led the way.”

People's Choice Winner

The coveted People’s Choice Award, as voted by the public both online and in the gallery, went to Melbourne-based artist Amanda Western, for Country Lane, a lino print.

Guest judge Judy Ewington said the quality and diversity of the 40 finalist works spoke to the significance and notoriety of the Sunshine Coast National Art Prize.

“The standard was exceptional and thanks to the introduction of the new media category, we saw cutting edge works from across Australia in all categories,” Ms Ewington said.

Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli said the major prize-winning work has been acquired into the Sunshine Coast Art Collection.

“Our growing collection of works is a legacy for future generations, comprising more than 900 works and worth over $2 million,” Mayor Natoli said.

“We are well known as a region for our rich pool of talented artists, five of whom were finalists in this year’s prize, and our national art prize showcases our significant contemporary arts landscape.”

2024 Sunshine Coast National Art Prize Winners

• Sunshine Coast National Art Prize major prize sponsored by Argon Law – Todd Fuller | No use crying over ripped lace | 2023 | video | 2 min 43 sec 
• Sunshine Coast National Art Prize highly commended award sponsored by the De Deyne Family –  Aylsa McHugh | Numen | 2023 | dye sublimation print  on aluminium | 110 x 150cm (diptych) 
• Artist Residency award sponsored by Montville Country Cabins and Coastline BMW – Hyun Hee Lee | Fragments of Memories | 2024 | silk, organza, chalk, silk thread, Korean hanji paper | 82 x 84cm 
• People’s Choice award sponsored by Caloundra Chamber of Commerce – Amanda Western | Country Lane | 2023 | lino print | 119 x 73cm