Sydney artist Todd Fuller is $25,000 richer after winning the Sunshine Coast National Art Prize with a compelling piece about gay hate-crime.

The artwork, titled “No use crying over ripped lace”, explores the role of drag queens as protectors of the LGBTQIA+ community.

It’s the first time a digital piece has taken out the top gong since the new media category was introduced last year.

The piece seamlessly combines video, sketches, animation and voiceover to tell the story of three drag queens on a night out in 2017.

Todd explains his work details their post-performance kebab stop and an altercation which ensues.

“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,” Todd says.

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

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 says the quality and diversity of the 40 finalist works spoke to the significance and notoriety of the 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 says.

Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli says 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 says.

“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

The Sunshine Coast National Art Prize exhibition is available to view at Caloundra Regional Gallery until October 13.

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