Local artist Wade Taylor has been crowned the winner of the $10,000 City of Rockingham Art Prize for his “menacing yet playful” depiction of Australian suburbia.
Working primarily with oil paint, Taylor’s works often explore themes of Australian identity through images of suburbia, nostalgia, and the everyday.
His winning piece, titled Carnival, captures the surreal moment each year when inflatable clowns begin to appear in front yards across the country.
Announced at an awards ceremony on June 14, Taylor said he was “super excited and honoured” to receive the top prize and thanked the City and its arts community for "shining a light on the diverse fields of arts practice in the Western Australian community."
The judges commented on “Taylor’s rendering of this uncanny suburban occurrence which has been deftly handled with a colour palette and composition that heightens the familiar yet eerie quality of the scene”.
2025 Rockingham Art Prize Winners:
• First Prize Winner: Wade Taylor, 'Carnival' (Painting)
• Small Sculpture Award: Andre Lipscombe, ‘Scintillating painting’ (Sculpture)
• First Nations Artist Award: Cole Baxter, ‘Doyintj-doyintj Nyininy’ (Photography)
• Emerging Artist Award: Jozina de Ruiter, ‘View from my Studio’ (Painting)
• Local Resident Award: Tyler Thomson, ‘Stump’ (Ceramic stoneware)
• Highly Commended: Mikaela Castledine, ‘Salt Lick’ (Textile work)
“These awards support our artists and provide them with the professional recognition that comes from being part of a highly respected and competitive art prize, while also celebrating the creativity of our community," said City of Rockingham Mayor Deb Hamblin.
This year’s Art Prize attracted 76 finalists, vying for the prize pool of $20,000.
All finalist works are now on display at the Rockingham Arts Centre, with the exhibition open until July 6, from 10am–4pm, Wednesday to Sunday.
Visitors are encouraged to cast their vote in the People’s Choice Award, which remains open throughout the exhibition period.
The 2025 Rockingham Art Prize Winners: Tyler Thomson, Cole Baxter, Wade Taylor, Jozina de Ruiter, Andre Lipscombe and Mikaela Castledine. PIC: City of Rockingham.
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