Ghost town comes alive as Cossack Art Award winners announced
Creativity took centre stage on Saturday, July 19, when the City of Karratha awarded nearly $100,000 in prize money to exceptional creatives at the 33rd Cossack Art Awards.
The unique regional art awards, where the prestigious exhibition is showcased on the century-old walls of Cossack, saw 300 artworks from across the nation entered, bringing the ghost town to life with texture, colour, and talent during July and August.
“This rumble tumble land I love…” by Anita Phillips won this year’s Best Overall Artwork.
This year’s judges said the artwork accurately depicted the Pilbara landscape and beautifully created the sense of place as it comes to life on the canvas.
“The skillful use of expressive brush strokes works in conjunction with a palette that is so unique to this land,” they said.
City of Karratha Mayor Daniel Scott said the Cossack Art Awards continued to showcase and celebrate the high level of talent.
“The Pilbara is renowned as an artistic hub and the calibre of artworks entered this year reflects the rich culture and creativity in our region and beyond,” Cr Scott said.
“It’s been fantastic to see the quality of works continue to impress year-on-year and for so many to be from artists in our own region.
“This year’s winning work by the talented Anna Phillips, beautifully and skillfully captures the Pilbara landscape we all know and love.
“I would also like to thank our well-respected judging panel who have dedicated their time and experience to the difficult task of selecting the winning and highly commended works.
“I encourage everyone to visit the exhibition and get involved with the public program of events and activities on offer over the coming weeks.”
Rio Tinto Managing Director, Rail, Port & Core Services Richard Cohen said this remarkable event continues to celebrate creativity and culture, firmly establishing itself as a highlight of the regional arts calendar.
“The Cossack Art Awards are a powerful and vibrant expression of community, identity and storytelling, and this year’s entries showcase the extraordinary talent thriving in the Pilbara.”
Download the 2025 Cossack Art Awards Catalogue (2.7mb PDF)
Download the 2025 Cossack Art Awards Winners and Highly Commended Booklet (5.7mb PDF)
View photos from the Awards Night on our Facebook page
Watch the livestream replay on our Facebook Page
2025 Cossack Art Awards Winners
Best Overall Artwork
Sponsor: City of Karratha
Artist: Anita Phillips
Title: This rumble tumble land I love…
Judges Comments: We were unanimous in selecting this striking artwork. Accurately depicting the Pilbara landscape and beautifully creating the sense of place as it comes to life on the canvas, the skilful use of expressive brush strokes works in conjunction with a palette that is so unique to this land.
Best Artwork by Pilbara Artist
Sponsor: Rio Tinto
Artist: Wendy Darby
Title: Country
Judges Comments: This stunning piece is a vibrant field of colour with intricate dotted details drawing the viewer in for a closer inspection, the warm colours that the artist has used give a joyful sense of the depicted country and its flora.
Portraits
Sponsor: Pilbara Development Commission
Artist: William Upchurch
Title: Xin Jie Tan
Judges Comments: A young footballer stands in the foreground holding a football with the familiarity of a seasoned player. Alone under the lights of the footy field the foreboding sky in the background, is she waiting for others, or have they left? Painted on what seems to be a remnant of a swag or tent.
North West Flora and Fauna
Sponsor: City of Karratha
Artist: Sadie James
Title: Where’s Wallaby?
Judges Comments: Looking into this painting of a Pilbara rock face, your eyes travel around the painting to reveal Rock Wallabies, artistically blended to become a part of the rock face.
Painting by Pilbara Indigenous Artist
Sponsor: Rio Tinto
Artist: Pine Byrne
Title: Thudgi (Native bush turkey)
Judges Comments: The two birds seem to play an important part in this painterly landscape, as they are a dominant part of the painting, watching over their next generation. The colours of the Pilbara are further enhanced by the patterning of the artist’s hand.
Pilbara Landscape
Sponsor: Ashburton Aboriginal Corporation
Artist: Christine Blowfield
Title: Cast of Light —— View from Mount Sheila
Judges Comments: A vibrant burst of red that resonates so well with the landscape at this time of day, as the rising light dances with the distant cliffs, and the artist has masterfully captured the changing light of the low laying sun on this unique place.
Emerging Young Artist
Sponsor: Citic Pacific Mining
Artist: Hannah North
Title: Pilbara In Flight
Judges Comments: A playful painting capturing the cheeky behaviour of the Zebra Finch. A common species in this region the artist shows the joyful relationship with water
Open Theme
Sponsor: City of Karratha
Artist: Rui Zhi Bian
Title: Tranquility at Sir John Gorge, Kimberley
Judges Comments: An exceptional realistic landscape where at first glance could be mistaken for a photograph. The artistic technique is highly skilled with attention to light, reflections and textures, immersing viewers into the serene landscape, it’s almost like looking through a window.
Works on Paper
Sponsor: City of Karratha
Artist: Naomi Antenucci
Title: Looking Within
Judges Comments: The artist has really pushed the dimensions of paper, taking the viewer on a mysterious journey though dissected cubes of negative space.
Highly Commended
Highly Commended Best Artwork by Pilbara Artist
May Byrne
Wonbai (native bee) making honey
Judges Comments: A true labour of love from someone familiar with the colours and patterns of the land
Highly Commended Portraits
Laura Griffith
Judges Comments: An intimate moment captured by the artist, what is the artist saying? A well-executed piece with an effective use of light and dark to convey a sense of unease
Highly Commended Northwest Flora and Fauna
Claudia Kraus
Judges Comments: Budgies are an instant dopamine hit world-wide, this painting with the soft pastels and most of the beautiful Belgium linen left untouched. The birds are lovingly painted on a minimal background.
Highly Commended Painting by Pilbara Indigenous Artist
Marlene Harold
Judges Comments: The layers of paint and colours portrayed in this painting are subtle yet powerful, with its delicate arrangement of marks and pattern making. On closer inspection the depth of the is revealed.
Highly Commended Pilbara Landscape
Lyn Franke
Ancient Whispers of the Pilbara
Judges Comments: A tactile piece, using an array of techniques to portray the unique of spinifex and rock
Highly Commended Emerging Young Artist
Sofi Twaddle
Judges Comments: This painting captures the unique colours of the Pink and Grey Gala resting in its natural environment delicately framed with wattle flowers and does so with exceptional detail.
Highly Commended Open Theme
Melissa Loan
The Last Quarter Moon – Tangerine
Judges Comments: The dramatic sky and attention to detail in the clouds captivates you, while the subtle yet vibrant glow of the horizon pull the eyes down to the silhouette of the land, creating a strong contrast
Highly Commended Works on Paper
Lisa Goessmann
Judges Comments: A subtle work at first and when drawn closer, a world of detail opens, surprising us with elaborate and intricate earthy patterns