The Mission to SeafarersNEWCASTLE MARITIME ART PRIZE
$10,000 Total Prize Money
United by the Sea, together as one Background Image: Bleached Sea by Charlize Philips
Winners
Congratulation to our 2026 winners and all those who entered
Best in Competition
Creation Day 5
Open Award
View of Merewether Baths
Highly Commended
O Captain, My Captain
Packer’s Prize
Letters from Home
High School
Confluence of the Ocean and Us
Primary School Group
Sea to Sea, Eye to Eye
Primary Individual
Together at the Jetty We got you mates (you love the sea, we got your safety) Different Boat, Same Story
Creation Day 5 Lee-Anne Corrigan
In the Book of Genesis describes how God created the earth and all that is in it. After Days 1, 2, 3 and 4, we learn that in Day 5 God created the great creatures of the sea along with every winged bird in the expanse of the sky. God blessed them and told them to be fruitful and increase.
To capture the theme of the Newcastle Maritime Art Prize 2026 Art Exhibition, ""United by the Sea, together as one "" my imagination leapt to the very Beginning of creation. With the Holy Bible as my inspiration, I wanted to create a painting that could portray the awesome greatness of our world, this EARTH, and to express both its majesty and mystery. I used tessellation as an artistic motif which signifies the idea of fish, birds aa creatures, abounding and always united together as one.
View over Merewether Baths Isabelle Emmerton
I chose to paint the Merewether Ocean Baths to celebrate a place where everyone can experience the ocean, regardless of age, ability, or background. As a free public space, ocean baths welcome people from all walks of life and provide a safe and accessible environment. This inclusivity reflects the idea that the ocean has the power to bring communities together. The baths represent how the sea can unite people by providing a shared space where everyone has the opportunity to connect with nature and with one another.
O Captain! My Captain! Otto van de Wijgaart
O Captain! My Captain! is a famous poem by Walt Whitman. It is written about the legacy of Abraham Lincoln, who steered his 'ship' and united a nation. It is a metaphor for steadfast leadership and courage, traits that all good captains should dually possess. O Captain! My Captain! is a Pop Culture exploration of those that "captain" a vessel, or follow the command of a captain, as portrayed in movies. It pays tribute to the explorers, the adventurers, the seafarers who risk the high seas in their various quests, and how these journeys connect people across the globe in the shared history of humanity.
Letters From Home Catherine Farren-Price
"Letters from Home" captures a quiet moment of tenderness amid the vastness of maritime life. On the deck of an anchored ship, a seafarer reads a letter from his wife—a small ritual that carries the weight of love, longing, and connection across distance.
This work reflects the emotional reality of life at sea: solitude softened by the words of someone waiting at home, and the resilience found in those intimate exchanges that anchor the heart.
Blush OnThe Reef Melinda De Luca
This watercolour painting celebrates the beauty and uniqueness of marine life through a vibrant pink seahorse. Using flowing colours and soft layers, I aimed to capture a sense of wonder, movement and tranquillity beneath the sea. The seahorse symbolises resilience and individuality, while the surrounding coral-like forms create a dreamlike underwater environment. Through this work, I hope to inspire appreciation for the delicate beauty of our oceans and the creatures that call them home.
Hidden Gems Jane Raj
Hidden Gems explores the interconnectedness of life beneath the sea. These hidden elements symbolise the often unseen relationships that sustain marine environments and remind us that every living thing plays a role within a larger shared system. Through texture, colour and layered imagery, the painting celebrates both the mystery and fragility of ocean life.
Derrigarba Wickham Hugh Doyle
This abstract view captures some of the elements of the suburb of Wickham and its working harbour, including the dockside, the bridge, green spaces and factories.
Newcastle MTS based at Wickham has been a place of welcome for weary seafarers since 1873.
My grandfather served in the Australian Merchant Navy and sailed around the world but always looked forward to docking in Newcastle and visiting the centre for rest and companionship.
Maritime Union ( Any Port in a Storm) John Butler
The seascape combines the drama of an east coast low with the little fleet which sought refuge in a very unsuitable inlet. The MTS life buoy completes the picture.
Treasures from the Sea Michelle Underwood
I wanted to explore the idea of how the sea can connect us. Objects wash up on the beach and we pick them up. A message in a bottle reaching out in hope from a different land; beautiful shells that once were other creatures’ homes are now our treasured keepsakes. These things from far away are carried by the sea and pass into our hands are sources of connection, uniting us across time and place.
Beneath the Surface Rebecca Dawson
Beneath the Surface' invites quiet reflection on the connections that exist beyond what we immediately see. Inspired by the movement and rhythm of the ocean, the work explores how individual forms can exist independently while still belonging within a shared flow.
Each shape holds its own presence, yet together they create balance, movement, and coexistence; like currents beneath the surface, unseen but constant. Rather than offering a fixed meaning, the piece leaves space for personal interpretation, allowing viewers to bring their own experiences and emotions into what they see.
Reef II, Solomon Islands Paula Jenkins
Reef II, Solomon Islands, was completed last year (2025) after staying and diving in the Solomon Islands. After having a tremendous diving experience around Kennedy Island, I completed a series of reef paintings which represented the diverse underwater ecosystem. The reef in this area was healthy and brimming with life and colour.
Capturing light; the view from here Jacque Cook
Capturing light; the view from here is a triptych artwork completed during a 4 week residency at Nobby's lighthouse. Situated on Nobby's -Whibayganba headland , the lighthouse is surrounded by 2 cottages and the old signal station. As an artist I responded to the lighthouse and its cottages and surrounds with a series of small desk based works. The triptych, 3 small canvas panels each measuring 30.5cm x 30.5cm, is my response as an artist to Nobby's- Whibayganba lighthouse. The deliberately sharp geometric lines celebrate the precision of the place. I have tried to capture its overwhelming sense of light; its white washed walls and colours of sand and sea. There is a deep sense of connection here, to the sea and to seafarers.
Seafarers' Flag Stories Helene Leane
Seafarers' Flag Stories honours the diverse maritime community that anchors the soul of Newcastle Harbour. By weaving together the colours and symbols of Australia, the Philippines, India, Vietnam, and Indonesia, this piece transforms national identities into a shared tapestry of connection. The layered, handwritten typography acts as a rhythmic ocean current, repeating virtues like fortitude, peace, and fraternity. Amidst the vibrant shifts of blue, red, and gold, the stars, suns and wheels merge seamlessly, suggesting that while these seafarers cross vast geographic divides, they sail under the same sky, united by a profound, universal bond of humanity.
Same Sea Adam Johnston
Newcastle Ocean Baths is part of my life. I swim most mornings — sometimes in sunshine, sometimes in cold, and sometimes when getting into the water requires a little more courage.
In winter, while we make our familiar journeys up and down the pool, another, much greater journey is unfolding just beyond the rocks.
Humpback whales travel through these waters, a mother and her calf and accompanying male, heading North towards warmer seas.
Dolphins move through the same deep blue, while people gather at the baths to swim, watch, talk, or simply feel the winter sun.
I wanted to capture the extraordinary sitting quietly beside the ordinary.
Our journeys may seem small compared with the thousands of kilometres travelled by a migrating whale. Yet, for a moment, the swimmer, the whale, the dolphin, and the people standing on shore all inhabit the same place, beneath the same sky, connected by the same water.
The ocean can seem like the space between us. But perhaps it is the opposite. The sea we share is what brings us together.
Same Sea is about that connection — between people and place, between us the natural world, and between the small rituals of everyday life, something much larger than ourselves.
Different journeys. Different lives. Same sea.
Details:
Scratch built styrene, carved plaster, balsa, sand, and resin on 600x800 art board with floating frame.
Portal Helen Hopcroft
Portal is a portrait of a beach named Little Roaring in the deep South of Tasmania. My Aunty Pam and Uncle Bruce had a shack there - one living room with a wood fire and a small annex for the children to sleep - and as a kid I spent many summer holidays here. My cousins and I would explore the sea in an old Huon Pine dinghy. Over the years, the dinghy’s floor rotted away, and when we caught fish they would swim around our ankles.
During these long cold summers, the sea was our mother, teaching us everything we needed to know for our adult lives: the patience of fishing; how to stay calm when a kelp forest wraps you in its arms; respect for tides, storms and sea creatures larger than ourselves; and a kind of tingling, wordless understanding of what is safe and what is not.
My Aunty Pam is very old now, and Bruce passed many years ago. The teenagers I remember playing cricket on the beach have their own children. This beach, a liminal zone where the land meets the sea, feels like a place where the past and present collide. Most times when I visit Tasmania, I return, sensing that if feeds the creative wellspring of my life as an artist.
I recently spent a whole day painting on Little Roaring, alternately soaked by rain and scorched by clear white sunlight, wanting to capture the wild energy of the place, the connective tissue of human lives, water and memory. I imagined a rope swing hanging from a tree as a portal.
Newy Views Belinda Dorey
In May 2025 I took part in an artist's residency at the top of Nobbys, Whibayganba headland. One day a week for four weeks, I was lucky enough to have an inspiring high vantage point from which to paint. This panoramic scene over Newcastle with the Pacific Ocean on one side and the Hunter River on the other was influenced by the sweeping views I was privileged to observe each day. Here the phrase, birds eye view, comes to mind as I distractedly observed from my high point all the busy human activities below.
A Test of Seamanship John Woodland
Biography
Born in Sydney in 1944, I was educated in The Rocks area where I grew to appreciate the significance of the inner city buildings, the streetscapes and Sydney Harbour. I became interested in the local architecture and the everchanging scene on the harbour and the wharves. I have also frequently expressed in my work the hardships and difficulties of life that people were forced to endure in past years. Regarding maritime events I have illustrated the treacherous attempts of salvage at sea and the living conditions aboard sailing vessels. In other subjects I have tried to portray life in industrial situations and home-life in depressed times.
I have painted exclusively in watercolour for over fifty years and I truly believe that it is the most beautiful expression of all mediums. Painting in watercolour is always challenging and it can often be difficult and frustrating to express, however the rewards are always worth the experience.
In 2010 I was elected a Fellow of the Royal Art Society of New South Wales and in the same year I was invited to become a Member of the Australian Watercolour Institute. I am also a Founding Member and an elected Fellow of the Australian Society of Marine Artists and a Professional Member of the International Society of Marine Artists.
I have been exhibiting for many years and have received numerous awards including best in show and wins at the Sydney Royal Easter Art Show, Mission to Seafarers Victoria Traditional Art Award, Royal Canberra Art Award, Bright Watercolour Art Award, Singleton Art Award, Popular Choice Award at both the ACTA Shipping National Maritime Art Award and Mission to Seafarers ANL National Maritime Art Exhibitions. I was also selected to represent the Australian Watercolour Institute in the 2024 Fabriano International Exhibition in Fabriano, Italy.
In conclusion, in all my time as a watercolourist, I have never lost the enthusiasm and appeal that this beautiful expression of art offers to an artist.
Contact: John Woodland, FRAS, AWI, FASMA, ISMP
98 West Parade, Denistone, NSW, 2114, Australia
Telephone: 61 2 9874-3243 (M) 0402 480 999
E-mail: jaw3801@hotmail.com
Passing storm Karen Malmgren
This painting explores the connection between ourselves & the sea. The ocean is not simply a backdrop, but a living presence, reflecting our emotions, our rhythms & longing for freedom. The sea becomes a metaphor for life’s constant ebb & flow, to remind us that we are not separate from nature, but intrinsically connected to it
Common Loon Sami Bayly
This original watercolour and gouache painting features a common loon. Loons are powerful, agile diving birds that typically only come ashore to nest. Due to their migratory habits, they can be found in forested lakes and large ponds in northern North America and parts of Greenland and Iceland.
Like the Seafarers, these loons travel the world’s oceans, often facing long periods away from family, isolation, and demanding conditions. I believe they symbolise the seafarers story, as they are also united by the sea, together as one.
I painted this artwork over numerous days, tallying up at least 30+ hours of work. During that time I had to remain hyper focused, as it is important to not make any mistakes when painting with watercolours (due to their unforgiving nature). It measures 59×76.4 cm and was created in March 2026.
Message in a Bottle Caroline Lewis
Shipping lanes unite the world but at what cost? Hardship and deprivation endured by the seafarers, cheap commodities that flood the markets, live animal trade and oil spills all affect us. With fighting in The Strait of Hormuz drawing our attention and the disruption it has caused some of the poorest in the world, they become tentacles of pain
Connected by Oceans: Above and Below the Waves Catherine Banney
Beneath the surface, the ocean is alive with movement - unseen creaturesdrifting through warm and cold currents, following ancients paths between feeding and breeding grounds. Above the waves, ships trace their own routes across the globe, carrying people, goods, and stories from one shore to another. This painting captures that hidden energy and constant motion: the quiet life below, the restless journeys above, and the way the ocean connects worlds while keeping them apart.
Helping hands Glenn Currington
This piece talks of connection, friendship and assistance. Seafaring connects countries, cultures and friends whether it’s a big international trade agreement or a personal connection.
Yesterdays Kylie Peake
The Newcastle Bogey Hole represents a unique intersection of history, humanity and the raw power of the ocean.
Within its stone walls, the sea strips away our differences, bringing us together in a shared immersive experience of community and natural wonder.
Full Ahead Robert J Williams
The crew are tired and weary as we weather out the storm. We press on searching for the lights that indicate our sheltered waters of port.
One Sea Links All Barbara Peacock
Inspired by the theme of this art competition, my thoughts went to the major currents that circle the Earth and link all the peoples of the world. The oceans support all life through its generation of oxygen, absorption of carbon dioxide, regulating climate, as well as providing food, fertiliser, medicines and habitat for marine creatures.
My painting illustrates the movement of an ocean current. Let the eye wander - from the glint of light, to a distant swell, to something floating beneath the surface. Text emerge like pieces of memory surfacing through the water….words in some of the many languages touched by the one body of water. The ocean connecting everything and supporting all life. The currents uniting and spiralling towards the goal of - survival.
Blue Before Dawn Angelea Van Dam
That moment before first light, when the horizon slowly reveals itself and the day begins to find its bearings. It carries memories shaped by time spent on the water, leaving space for others to find their own connection with the sea. Though our stories differ, the sea has a way of holding them together.
Dawn on the Marina Richard Kearney
Newcastle Harbour is beautiful at any time but spectacular at dawn or sunset.
Butterfly Suresh Jeanel
In commercial shipping, a ""butterfly"" refers to a cyclic vessel route that is divided into two separate loops to reduce transit times and streamline cargo transport.
My spray painting of an amorphous form references a rock engraving of a butterfly that has succumbed to erosion. Through this work, I attempt to map the vessel route, drawing connections between ancient markings and contemporary systems of movement and exchange.
Happy Little Hatchlings Linda Watson
“Happy Little Hatchlings” Fresh from the nest and full of wonder, these joyful little hatchlings greet the world with wide-eyed excitement and hearts ready for adventure. Swimming together through crystal-clear waters, they embody innocence, friendship and the simple happiness found in discovering something new.
Filled with luminous light and vibrant colour, Happy Little Hatchlings is a celebration of hope, joy and the extraordinary journey that begins with a single courageous step—or in this case, a tiny paddle.
Artist Statement
I paint to catch the light.
My work is inspired by the way light moves, shimmers, and transforms everything it touches. Through rich colour and luminous oil paint, I create artworks that feel joyful, calming, and alive - pieces that invite the viewer to pause and simply feel good.
While many of my paintings are inspired by the underwater world, my true subject is light itself. I am drawn to how colour can sparkle, soften, and glow, and how it can lift the spirit and open the heart. Every piece is created with intention: to share joy, to inspire happiness, and to bring beauty into everyday spaces.
Painting is my way of offering something meaningful and positive to the world. I believe beauty matters and for me it is a gift meant to be shared. Through my art, I offer that gift openly, with warmth, gratitude, and heart. Each piece is created with the intention of shining light, love, and a sense of sparkle, with an invitation to pause, breathe, and reconnect with beauty. Through my art, I hope to inspire a feeling of joy and remind the viewer of the quiet magic and moments of wonder, meant to be lived with and loved.
Andrew McAuley Kieran Shaw
Andrew McAuley was an adventure kayaker who would face the open ocean to travel vast distances through rough seas in order to achieve his ambitious goals. This painting shows Andrew in this custom storm pod (painted with iconic smiley face) engaged with large storm swell.
Lunch with Giants Janelle Gibbon-Heath
""Lunch with Giants"" was inspired by a quiet afternoon overlooking Newcastle Harbour , where everday life unfolds alonside one of Australia's busiest working ports. From the table of the waterfront restaurant, a glass of wine, a watchful pelican and immense bulk carriers become part of the same moment. The powerful tug guiding the ship reminds us that even the largest vessels depend on teamwork, relecting the unseen collaboration between people, industrand and nature that keeps a harbour alive.
This painting celebrates our connection to the sea - not only through commerce and maritime history, but through the simple experience of pausing to watch, reflect and appricate the world movin before us. It is a reminder that the harbour belongs to everyone: workers, wildlife, visitors and the community all united by the sea.
Incoming Robert Saxon
Incoming' is a typical view seen regularly by people from Newcastle, ships entering or leaving the harbour. It has been this way right from the early days of European settlement in Newcastle, where the township and the sea were bonded by the sailers and seamen from all over the world.
As souls fly so do ocean waves meet Lynda Black
This work was painted from a series of drawings done at a favourite spot on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, Ti-Tree Bay. Sometimes calm and perfect for swimming, nearby beaches and bays often had dangerous undercurrents. Drownings are not uncommon up and down our coast line; reflecting on the lives of those lost to the ocean, it is easy to equate the freedom of sea-birds with the presence of human souls who may be present.
We are all one at the beach Michael Hannah
The beach draws all sorts of people to the sea. At the beach we shed our regular clothing that differentiates us and often identifies us with our work, our socio-economic status, our "tribe", and we become just humans having fun. In the surf rich and poor, professionals and tradespeople, the high and mighty and the low and humble all get tumbled by the waves, come up coughing and spluttering and fall on our towels to dry out and perhaps, unwisely, bake ourselves in the sun. In this, and many other ways, the sea unites us merely as people at play. While on the distant horizon we see the ships that carry people and goods all around the world, uniting us in other, more commercial ways.
The Waves bring us closer Kevin Corrigan
I was born in Newcastle and life for me was about fishing and swimming at Newcastle Harbour. My creative expression reflects the waterways of this area, continually bringing people together. I chose the figures from my memories of youth, as so many friends and strangers gather together for the momentary experience of splashing in the waves.
'Every Jack' Drew Bogdanovs
Every Jack - is a portrait of the ordinary seafarer whose story is rarely recorded but whose journey has connected people across oceans for generations. Whether sailor, fisher, merchant mariner or naval crew, every voyage begins with leaving something behind and the hope of finding something beyond the horizon.
The geometric eye represents a world seen through change - fractured by distance yet coloured by experience. The bold lines speak of resilience, while the shifting colours reflect the many cultures, friendships and families formed through lives lived at sea.
The sea is often remembered for its storms and isolation, but it is also a place of encounter. It carries people between nations, reunites loved ones, and creates new communities wherever ships make landfall.
'Every Jack' celebrates the quiet courage of those whose lives are shaped by the sea, reminding us that despite our different journeys, we are ultimately united by the sea, together as one.
A mixed media presented work on Canvas 12x16 inches - By Drew Bogdanovs
Illuminating the Oracle Linda Watson
Bathed in cascading light, this luminous oil painting celebrates the quiet wisdom and mystery of the ocean. The octopus, with its graceful movement and vibrant colour, becomes a symbol of intuition, intelligence and ancient knowing. As sunlight filters through the water, it reveals not only the beauty beneath the surface but also the gentle reminder to trust our own inner wisdom. Rich in light, colour and wonder, this piece invites the viewer to pause, reflect, and discover the beauty found in stillness.
Artist Statement
I paint to catch the light.
My work is inspired by the way light moves, shimmers, and transforms everything it touches. Through rich colour and luminous oil paint, I create artworks that feel joyful, calming, and alive - pieces that invite the viewer to pause and simply feel good.
While many of my paintings are inspired by the underwater world, my true subject is light itself. I am drawn to how colour can sparkle, soften, and glow, and how it can lift the spirit and open the heart. Every piece is created with intention: to share joy, to inspire happiness, and to bring beauty into everyday spaces.
Painting is my way of offering something meaningful and positive to the world. I believe beauty matters and for me it is a gift meant to be shared. Through my art, I offer that gift openly, with warmth, gratitude, and heart. Each piece is created with the intention of shining light, love, and a sense of sparkle, with an invitation to pause, breathe, and reconnect with beauty. Through my art, I hope to inspire a feeling of joy and remind the viewer of the quiet magic and moments of wonder, meant to be lived with and loved.
Little Rays of Mischief Linda Watson
Little Rays Of Mischief
A pair of adventurous baby turtles set off on their first underwater escapade, their curious eyes sparkling with excitement and their playful spirits impossible to resist. Bathed in dancing sunbeams and surrounded by the vibrant beauty of the reef, they remind us that life’s greatest adventures often begin with a little curiosity—and a touch of mischief.
Painted to celebrate joy, wonder and the carefree magic of childhood, Little Rays of Mischief invites us to embrace life’s playful moments and see the world through eyes filled with delight.
Artist Statement
I paint to catch the light.
My work is inspired by the way light moves, shimmers, and transforms everything it touches. Through rich colour and luminous oil paint, I create artworks that feel joyful, calming, and alive - pieces that invite the viewer to pause and simply feel good.
While many of my paintings are inspired by the underwater world, my true subject is light itself. I am drawn to how colour can sparkle, soften, and glow, and how it can lift the spirit and open the heart. Every piece is created with intention: to share joy, to inspire happiness, and to bring beauty into everyday spaces.
Painting is my way of offering something meaningful and positive to the world. I believe beauty matters and for me it is a gift meant to be shared. Through my art, I offer that gift openly, with warmth, gratitude, and heart. Each piece is created with the intention of shining light, love, and a sense of sparkle, with an invitation to pause, breathe, and reconnect with beauty. Through my art, I hope to inspire a feeling of joy and remind the viewer of the quiet magic and moments of wonder, meant to be lived with and loved.
The Light That Unites Us All Susan Ravenhall
My lino print explores the theme 'United by Sea, Together as One' through the reflections of two enduring sources of light—the sun and a lighthouse. Their light stretches across the ocean, symbolising guidance, hope and the connections that unite people across the sea.
For centuries, the sea has been more than a body of water; it has been a pathway that brings people, cultures and communities together. The sun illuminates the journey by day, while the lighthouse offers reassurance and safe passage by night. Together, they represent the enduring presence of light that has guided generations of seafarers home.
Using the bold contrast and carved textures of lino printing, I sought to capture both the movement of the ocean and the quiet strength of these guiding lights. The work reflects the idea that, although the sea may separate us physically, it also has the power to connect us, uniting us through shared journeys, hope and purpose.
“Before Newcastle Eugenia Dunlevie
When our town called itself a steel city. my aim was to capture this gigantic monster perpetually belching, and fuming across the river and sea.
The Paddle Out Gemma Kirkman
The Paddle Out is a collective moment of stillness on the water. A circle formed by boards, bodies, and breath, created to honour connection, community, and the coastline that shapes us. This work centres on the quiet power of gathering, the way saltwater holds memory, and how shared ritual can soften grief and amplify hope.
I’m drawn to the way people move across the ocean with intention - the slow paddle, the drift, the pause. The Paddle Out captures that rhythm. It reflects the belief that healing isn’t loud; it’s found in the simple act of showing up together, and letting the sea carry what we can’t hold alone.
Through this piece, I want viewers to feel the weight and the lightness of the moment. It’s a reminder that community is an anchor, and the ocean is a witness.
Through portholes Mark Janus
Consists of 3 portholes, the top porthole showing the world and how it unites the seafarers in the vast distances they must travel to deliver their freight and the time they have to spend at sea. The bottom left porthole shows the moverment of modern ships through the seas. The bottom right porthole shows the hull of a modern shop that together on the seas today's seafarers work, live and rest on. Above the shop is the Seafarers Mission angel guiding all ships across the world. The significance of the 3 portholes shows the Trinitty reflecting the belief structure ofthe Mission to Seafarers Chaplain's and the volunteers. All 3 portholes are lashed together and united as one by the mooring lines unitiing the sailors to the wharf and the stable enviroenment the Mission to Seafarers offers all seamen.
United as a family of swimming turtles Donna Zingel
My artwork is inspired by the unity and connection of a family of sea turtles swimming together. I have used mixed media including watercolour paints and paint pens.
Textured by Nature Michael Rumble
My aim in sculpturing is not to create perfect replica. That can be done by computerised machinery. I try to use the textures and grain that nature has provided. I see creatures in wood that others see as firewood. There is new life in old wood.
Beyond the surface Lana Mansfield
In this artwork I have explored the connection between dolphins and humans. I am looking at our similarities as a species and also our impact on the ocean. The human shadows exist to represent our lasting effects on the water around us that we love, and creature who we consider to be free and beautiful. I am attempting to represent how we often take an image or aspect at face value and don’t look beyond the surface to the real impact on the sea.
The Confluence Liz Fox
The Confluence
Cyanotype on silk, acrylic and oil pastel
800mm x 800mm x 50mm
Inspired by community and the connection between people, land, and sea, this work reflects the quiet relationships that sustain us all.
Transparent silk layered with luminous cyanotype botanicals floats above an abstracted seascape, creating shifting layers of light, movement, and memory.
Rather than depicting a specific place, the work invites reflection on our shared connection to the natural world. As land and sea merge into one living landscape, it reminds us that, like the community, we are united through connection, renewal, and belonging.
Confluence Suzan Allan
Confluence began as a question: what does unity look like when it isn't declared, but simply allowed to happen? Each oval holds its own colour, its own quiet presence — cobalt dreaming in the depths, emerald catching the light of middle waters, pale periwinkle dissolving toward the surface and sky. Yet where they meet, the watercolour decides. Edges soften. Colours bleed into one another without permission or resistance. This is the sea as I understand it — not a border between places, but the ancient, wordless thing that has always held us together.
Back from the brink... Jane Fletcher
Here in Newcastle, we eagerly await the burgeoning population of whales on their seasonal journey along the “Humpback Highway”.
But this was not always the case.
Many creatures of the oceans have faced extinction or in the case of our majestic humpback whales, near extinction. Although their numbers have greatly increased, they are still under threat from pollution, climate change, fishing practises, shipping and commercial whaling; horror!
They provide a crucial role in ocean ecosystems and if they become extinct the oceans’ nutriment cycle would inevitably collapse.
Goodbye to the ocean as we know it.
As our world is connected by seas; although of different cultures, nations and faiths, together as one we unite in the joy of watching these magnificent creatures breaching and celebrate with them having returned from the brink of extinction.
Let our love of whales be a symbol of our care and welcome across the seas, just as we greet the seafarers who provide for us through isolation and demanding work conditions and those voyagers on their “Humpback Highway ”. We welcome them both.
‘Back from the brink…’ let this give us hope!
Light over the Waters Helen Fenner
My name is Helen Fenner and I got into art six years ago to help me express my emotions when my dear husband passed away, with the help of an amazing community at Flourish I came out of my shell and found a passion for craft and mixed media
My art style would best be described as using different mediums to create colourful and thought provoking art
The blue guitar represents the ocean's soulful balance between peace and chaos and how our emotions can sometimes feel like waves swirling in a never ending sea.
Reflected Sunset Leslie Duffin
As ships wait off the coast of Newcastle, a temporary community is formed. People from all over the world are united as the sun sets on another day.
Held by the Sea Amanda Turner
Before there were roads, there were tides.
For as long as humanity has looked beyond the horizon, the sea has carried our journeys. It has borne explorers and fishermen, migrants and refugees, families seeking new beginnings, and those returning home. It has witnessed joy, grief, courage and loss, holding each story without judgement.
Within this wave, faces emerge from the water—not as portraits of particular people, but as reflections of us all. They represent generations connected through a shared human experience. Their forms dissolve into one another, suggesting that no life exists in isolation; each is shaped by those who came before and those yet to come.
As the wave breaks, birds rise from the sea foam, symbolising memory released, hope renewed and the enduring spirit that continues beyond the horizon. Hidden within the lower currents are quieter faces still, almost lost within the water, reminding us of the countless lives the ocean has carried throughout history—many remembered, many forgotten, yet all part of its story.
Though the sea separates continents, it has always united humanity. It is our oldest pathway, our shared inheritance and our collective memory.
This painting is an invitation to pause and look beyond the surface. Like the ocean itself, it reveals more the longer we are willing to look.
Ocean’s Beat: Canoe Pool Ivanka Andrews
Ocean’s Beat is inspired by the Canoe Pool at Newcastle Beach, where the shelter of the ocean pool meets the power of the Pacific. Rather than documenting a single moment, the painting explores the rhythm of the coastline—waves in constant motion, weathered markers standing resilient, and the quiet pause between each surge. Through expressive watercolour and a simplified composition, I sought to capture the balance between strength and tranquillity that defines this iconic place.
Safe Passge Ivanka Andrews
Safe Passage captures a tugboat returning through the quiet waters of Newcastle Harbour at day’s start. Light, reflection, and colour symbolise guidance, strength, and the comfort of safe arrival. The painting is a tribute to the maritime community and to the often unseen people whose work keeps our ports—and our communities—connected
Connected - Seafarers Karina Norris
Artist Statement – Seafarers
A coloured pencil representation
Seafarers explores the enduring connection between humanity and the sea through the shared journeys of whales and people. Drawn across a nautical chart of Hervey Bay and K'gari, the migrating humpback mother and calf become more than wildlife—they become fellow navigators, following ancient pathways that have existed long before humans first mapped the ocean.
The chart beneath them represents our desire to understand and navigate the sea, while the whales remind us that nature has always known these routes. Migration is not uniquely human; it is an ancient rhythm shared by countless species. Whales, seabirds and people are all seafarers, each guided by memory, instinct, stars, currents and coastline.
By revealing both the world above and below the surface, this work invites the viewer to consider that our lives are inseparable from the living ocean. We are not visitors upon it but participants within it. The sea has shaped our stories, our exploration, our survival and our sense of wonder for generations.
Before we drew the sea upon our maps, it had already written its paths into every seafarer. We are not separate from the natural world—we are one more species carried by its tides, humbled by its vastness, and forever connected to its ancient journeys.
Constellations of the current Tahlia Willis
The ocean is vast, fluid, and often isolating, yet it acts as the ultimate connector of human experience. Constellations of the Current explores this duality & togetherness.
Newcastle Harbour Impression, 2026 Adele Merdjanic
Newcastle Harbour Impression, 2026 captures an afternoon along Newcastle Harbour, where community, nature, recreation and maritime industry converge on a shared waterway. Developed in the studio from en plein air studies completed along the Stockton Foreshore, the work seeks to convey the energy, movement and atmosphere of this distinctive coastal environment.
A fisherman casts from the shoreline while sailing yachts, recreational craft, a transverse tug and local birdlife occupy the harbour together. Each element reflects a different relationship with the sea, yet all are united by the water that connects them. The painting celebrates Newcastle Harbour as a contemporary meeting place where people, industry and the natural environment coexist
Pilot Adam Kelly
I am a local artist inspired by the rich maritime heritage of Newcastle Harbour, where I grew up surrounded by the steelworks, working boats, slipways and wharves.
Through my whimsical, humorous watercolours, I hope to to capture the personalities, quirks and character of our harbours workhorses- the tugs, the pilots, line boats, dredges and trawlers.
I invite you to smile, appreciate the people, boats, and stories that have shaped our harbour for generations.
Fragments of the Sea Katherine Cody
Turtles live through so much change in their lifetimes, experiencing different environments and conditions. Their outward appearance is calm but we don't know how they are truly feeling. This is true of people we meet too - you never know what someone is dealing with, what changes that are faced with.
After the Storm Christina Reid
Christina began painting around seven years ago in acrylics and oils. Her other arts and crafts interests include ceramics, glass and fabric art. Her art is inspired by the natural beauty of the Myall Coast beaches, waterways and national parks.
Confluence Crystal Davis
Confluence explores the idea that the oceans both separate and unite us. The hands represent distant family and friends while also symbolising humanity as a whole. Although each person touches the water in a different place, every ripple eventually overlaps with another, reflecting the countless ways our actions, relationships and journeys intersect. Like the ripples on the water’s surface, even small acts of connection can have far-reaching effects. Just as we all live beneath the same sky, we also share the same oceans. The sky transitions from morning to sunset to represent the passing of time and the continuous journeys made across the sea. The gently curved horizon reinforces the idea that we all share one world. This painting celebrates our shared humanity and suggests that our lives are strongest when they meet.
You Were My Ocean Russell Cook
"In the past, I have been moved by accounts I've heard of those who live and work on the oceans - Seafarers. On all accounts it is a difficult life for many. This artwork has a theme of hard work, hard life, distance from loved ones, and personal sense of isolation. There are stormy seas. It's a theme of survival.
I used mixed media culminating in a graphic digital artwork. The process involved drawing the various elements, rendering them with ink, photographing them, combing them digitally with editing software (not AI), and blending them into a preconceived composition. Adding colour, light, shade, contrast, tone, and texture effects was part of this creative process. I chose to have the work printed using archival quality inks and paper, and displayed in simple, contemporary framing.
The artwork is dramatic. My extensive use of red is to enhance this without being cold. Red also enhances the overall sense of movement in the composition.
The overall iamge has a solemnity about it. A sadness. The seafarers eyes convey it. I have added some prose to fit this. The words are to provide a little insight into the man's emotions, long hidden inner struggles, and the great love he carried to, and across stormy seas. I have also include uniting themes, the hope for peace, and and shared humanity across the seven seas. All outlined by the Mission to Seafarers in their vision and criteria for the theme of this Art Prize. "
The Rise of the Ancient Mariner & The Health of the Sea Samuel Taylor Coleridge – 1834 Susan Miles
Through this multimedia artwork, I wish to celebrate the role of healthcare workers in protecting the health of all that go to the sea and those who love and care for them. I am myself a healthcare worker who celebrates creativity, diversity and inclusiveness in the preservation of our waterways. I hoped to capture the universality of our seas and water ways and the link to our past achievements and tragedies through to the contemporary nature of technologies that support all life on the high seas.
The Moon and the Tide Peter Russell
"The sea has always connected us. It knows no borders, no language, and no divisions. The tides that rise and fall around our coastline are guided by the moon, reminding us that we are all part of the same natural rhythm. The Moon and the Tide celebrates this invisible connection, reflecting the exhibition theme ""United by the Sea, Together as One.""
This artwork has been created using more than 90% recycled materials sourced from a local building site. Timber offcuts and other construction remnants have been transformed into a new story—demonstrating that what is often considered waste can be given renewed purpose and beauty.
Just as the sea reshapes everything it touches, this piece transforms forgotten materials into something meaningful. Each reclaimed element represents resilience, renewal, and the idea that individual fragments, when brought together, become stronger as a whole.
Through the interplay of the moon and the tides, the artwork symbolises unity, sustainability, and our shared responsibility to care for the environment that connects us all. It is a reminder that, like the ocean itself, we are interconnected—and that by working together and valuing what already exists, we can create a more sustainable future.
The Moon and the Tide invites viewers to reflect on the enduring bond between people, nature, and the sea, celebrating the power of transformation, community, and hope."
Confluence of the ocean and us Mae Petrohelos
My work explores the ocean as a powerful force that is interwoven with humanity reflecting the complexity of human identity. Through the boats and the ocean I reflect the deep relationship between people and nature, showing how our lives are intertwined with the rhythms of the natural world. The puzzle pieces of the ocean symbolise the need to look deeper at our connection with the ocean and recognise our responsibility to protect it. Although each piece is separate, they come together to form one image, reflecting the idea of being “united by the ocean, together as one.” From a distance the image appears whole, but up close the individual pieces become visible, encouraging viewers to look deeper and consider the importance of conservation and collective responsibility. I use rich blues and warm gold tones to create a sense of calm, beauty, and hope. The contrast of the two boats reflects our relationship with nature and how powerful it can be. Through this work, I hope to evoke feelings of unity, belonging and coexistence with nature, while also reminding viewers of its power and fragility.
Sea to Sea, Eye to Eye Melinda Nunn
This artwork is a whole-school collaboration, with every student at St John's Primary School - Lambton, contributing a small boat. Inspired by the Mission to Seafarers, the artwork acknowledges the thousands of seafarers who travel the world’s oceans, often spending months away from family and home. Our fleet of boats symbolises not only our own journey together but also our call to extend hospitality and compassion to those who arrive on our shores. As a Mercy school, we recognise that welcoming the stranger is at the heart of the Gospel and seek to reflect this through our words, actions and community.
Together at the Jetty Max Polin
My artwork shows friends standing together at the end of a jetty, looking at a whale in the ocean. I wanted to show that the sea brings people and animals together and reminds us to care for our oceans.
We got you Mates (You love the sea, we got your safety!) Briona Ando
This painting conveys a reassuring message to our seafarers and all sea-loving Aussies that, no matter where they roam across the vast ocean, they are always under the watchful eyes of our emergency services. They are never truly alone in their maritime journeys and adventures. Out there is a dedicated community of highly skilled professionals looking after their safety, ready to be at their side at a moment's notice by air, land, or sea. When the going gets rough—regardless of the time or location—these specialists ensure their safe return to harbour and family.
Different Boat, Same Story Mila Martin
I was inspired by this year's theme, ""United by the Seas, Together as One,"" which made me think about how people can have different experiences but still be connected through the sea.
In my artwork, the two sailboats are riding the same wave. They represent how everyone has their own story, but we all share the same world and are connected in different ways. The lifeguard tower shows how people help and look after one another, especially at the beach. The clean beach reminds us that when we care for our oceans and stop pollution, everyone can enjoy the sea safely.
I used acrylic paints and careful blending to create a bright coastal scene that celebrates the beauty of the ocean and the importance of protecting it.
I hope people who see my artwork think about how we are all connected, even if our lives are different. I also hope it encourages people to care for our beaches and oceans so they stay beautiful for everyone to enjoy.
Shipping Around the Globe Freya Conroy
In my artwork I have used watercolour and coloured pencil to reflect the theme ”United by the sea, together as one.” To show the idea of everyone sharing the same ocean, I painted two hands holding a globe to remind us that we are together as one.
For many people, the ocean and beaches such as Nobby’s are a place of leisure, but Newcastle is also a working port, with ships coming in and out and travelling across the world. By putting both of these views of the ocean on the globe, I have reflected how each of these parts of the ocean work together and cannot be separated.
We may come from different places, but we are all connected by the sea, and together we are one.
Boundless Charlotte Dodd
Boundless explores the deep, unbreakable connections that unite us across the vast expanse of existence.
Set against a striking background of contrasting orange and blue—representing the fiery energy of the sky meeting the deep mystery of the ocean - the artwork features two distinct sailboats. Though navigating separate paths, they are permanently joined by a single line of gold foil. This gilded bond serves as a visual anchor, transforming individual journeys into a shared destiny.
The piece directly reflects the theme ""united by the sea, together as one."" It suggests that while the ocean of life is vast and unpredictable, our shared relationships and common humanity ensure we are never truly adrift. Ultimate strength lies not in isolation, but in the shimmering, unbreakable ties that bind us together.
Sea shells on every shore Remington Ravenhall
All around the world on the shores of the seas, shells roll in. The sight of them reminds us that although we are separated by the oceans and seas the shells don't need passports and land wherever the tide takes them - uniting us all.
Sunrise by the Breakwall Oliver McGrath
This is a painting of the Nobby's breakwall. I chose this location because it demonstrates the many ways humans come in contact with water. By observing this painting, we can recognise that we humans are 'united' by swimming, surfing, sailing, fishing and rowing which all requires water. We can also recognise that the ocean doesn't just bring people together, it also brings the animals together. Here we see the breakwall from an aerial view, the rough side represent the ocean and beach and the calm side represents the harbour, also known as the Hunter River.
Searching for a rescue Elina McElhone
I knew when I started this piece I wanted to include the idea of the sea and people coming together. My work depicts a humpback whale surfacing allowing a person thrown overboard to rest above the water as a maritime search and rescue helicopter arrives at the scene. This is my first time painting a whale, but that couldn`t stop me from doing my best to capture its essence.
Mother Love Bana Qattan
Mother Love captures the powerful bond between a humpback whale and her calf beneath the oceans surface. The rays of light filtering through the water symbolises hope, guidance and an unbreakable bond between a mother and her daughter. This artwork was created using acrylic paints and was an incredible process to make. I've always found peace in nature and the emotions it can represent. The relationship between the mother and calf reminded me that love, guidance and comfort don't always need words. Through this painting, I wanted to capture a quiet moment that reflects the strength found in connection and the reassurance of never truly being alone. I hope viewers connect with the piece in their own way and find a story that reflects their own experiances.
Two Worlds, One Ocean Amelia Bowes
Two Worlds, One Ocean depicts the quiet bond between us and ocean life. By painting the figures as black silhouettes, they represent their entire group, not just the individuals displayed. The sun shining through the water gives a spotlight effect to the piece, illuminating the importance of this bond. I hope that when people see this artwork, they look past the aesthetic image and see the real symbolisation and purpose of it.
Undrowned Grace Goldman
Undrowned is an expression of oceanhood and identity - fluid, messy and expansive. Undrowned shares a story of confinement and escape - an unbottling of expectations. The ocean is both transient and everlasting, a million tears flow in its tides. There is freedom in that endlessness. A troubled mind finds safety in the chaotic crashing waves, swirling whitewash and hungry currents. Created with sandy hair and salty fingertips, collected, carved, collaged and curated, Undrowned is a tribute to the ocean, a reflection of connection.
Hand in Hand Rosa Gavin
I did this artwork to represent the feeling of standing together, hand in hand and how the ocean brings people together. No matter where you come from the ocean can make us all equal and bring peace to all of us.
Beneath the Waves Layla Rollings
Throughout my year 9 studies of art and woodwork, I have discovered that I mostly enjoy the process of 'making'. This has led me to independently explore the technique of papier-mâché and the construction methods used. I discovered that I was able to form many shapes. My interest in sea creatures inspired firstly the Whale Shark, then the larger Hammerhead sculpture.
I believe there are many ways in which the sea unites humanity. There are the shared journeys between oceans as both seamen and whales follow familiar routes, as well as accompanying myths and legends that have connected places and cultures over time. I think the coexistence of ocean species serves as an example to all of us and as we unite to protect them, we are brought together for a common cause.
Colours of Newcastle harbour Ella Atkinson
My artwork is inspired by Newcastle Harbour and the connection between the ocean, ships and the community. I used bright colours to capture the beauty and happiness of a day by the sea. The ship represents the history and stories of our harbour.
The ocean unites us Alex South
We wanted to show that the sea joins people instead of separating them. The ships represent different journeys from around the world, and the children hugging the Earth show that everyone belongs, no matter where they come from. The rope connecting each canvas reminds us that we are stronger when we are connected.
Life Beneath the Waves of Newcastle Kalarna Swinkels
I love the ocean, animals and colour, and believe that what lives beneath the waves have vibrant stories of their own, whether that is the journey a turtle takes or the path that fish swim. For this artwork I was inspired by a holiday I took to Tangalooma fish wrecks that was home to colourful sea life and beautiful flowing coral. I felt it was similar to that of Newcastle sea life from my research into our local marine rock structures/caves and life.
Guiding light Maggie Hardie
Guiding light depicts Nobby's Lighthouse, a iconic Newcastle landmark that has been guiding Australians for generations. It represents resilience and community, reminding us of the shared history that has shaped Newcastle. As a place recognized and cherished by locals and visitors alike, Nobbys Lighthouse continues to bring people together through its enduring presence on the coastline.
Nobby's lighthouse at dawn Maggie Hardie
This painting captures Nobbys Lighthouse beneath a clearing sky, where soft sunlight breaks through the clouds and reflects across the calm water. The muted blue and grey tones create a peaceful atmosphere, while the warm glow of the light provides a striking contrast, drawing the viewer's eye along the shoreline towards the headland. The composition emphasises the relationship between the land, sea and sky, with the lighthouse standing quietly in the distance as a symbol of guidance and connection.
The Invisible Bridge Eden Henshaw
My artwork depicts the unseen efforts of seafarers who connect us across our oceans. With the trade being so standard in modern day society, the efforts of seafarers can be easily taken for granted. Meanwhile - despite various hardships such as isolation and sometimes inadequate working conditions - they are the vital pillar that allows us to experience food from other countries, purchase from our favourite brands and keep economies stable.
Illustrated by the vivid map in the background, we are ""United by the sea, together as one"" due to the seafarers. Nonetheless, it is rarely appreciated by anyone besides the crewmembers themselves. This is reinforced by the solitary seafarer, the only figure present to admire the view of the map. Representing Newcatle's significance to Australia's exports and imports, Nobbys Lighthouse is included to specify the people of Newcastle's responsibility to acknowledge our source of connection to the rest of the world.
United Littoral Lacey Joyce
Shared Humanity. A spiralling ocean. What’s United people through the sea embodies the rust and relics of the growth of our connection. Rust. Saltwater corrodes steel just as the ocean leaves its mark on us all. Like rust, our connection to the sea is enduring, quietly embedding itself within our lives regardless of where we come from. The littoral is where land and sea converge—a place of constant exchange between us and the marine.
Diverse life breathe in and for the sea, and due to that it flows through all of us. Remaining in us. Rusting us.
We leave as many. We arrive as one. Michael Donnelly
The artists were Lucy Bromley, Gwen Tjiptadi and Otille DeMello. Year 4 students at Hamilton South OOSH. Their artwork represents the Seafarers and their journeys around the World. The title of the artwork is, “We leave as many. We arrive as one”.
Sea Stone Mackenzie Donoghue
I was inspired by watching the beautiful sun set over the ocean. I love how peaceful and colourful the sea looks at sunset, and I wanted to capture that feeling in my artwork.
I used acrylic paint, paintbrushes and canvas to create my painting. I carefully blended colours to show the sky, the sea and the smooth stones along the shore.
My artwork connects to the theme ""United by the Seas, Together as One"" because the sea connects people, animals and nature all around the world. Even though we live in different places, we all share the same oceans and have a responsibility to care for them.
I hope people who see my artwork feel calm, relaxed and happy. I also hope it reminds them how beautiful our Earth is and inspires them to protect our oceans and the animals that live in them.
Love of the Sea Alba Hope
I was inspired to create this artwork because I love going to the beach and making new friends. I also love the rock pools at the beach. All of the people are at the beach and nowhere else, the sea creatures are playing together too. Everyone is like a community on the beach.
One Ocean, Many Flags Eddie Larrigo
My artwork, One Ocean, Many Flags, is about how everyone in the world is connected. I painted a powerful wave under a sunset sky to represent the earth, how fast time moves and that we are all united together.. Instead of normal fish, I drew them to look like different flags from countries all over the world.
Even though all the fish have different colors and come from different places, they are all swimming together in the same deep blue ocean. I wanted to show that even though we have different cultures, we all share the same planet. This painting reminds us that we are one big global community and we are all united by the sea.
Sunshine on the Sea Lulu Agland
I created Sunshine on the Sea because I love painting and I love the sea. I used paint and blending to create bright colours that celebrate the ocean. My artwork reminds us that the sea is beautiful and should be treasured. I hope people feel happy and joyful when they see it.
Goldie's Ocean Goldie Elliot
My artwork is called Goldie's Ocean.
I love the ocean and swimming, so I wanted to create a painting that shows how special it is. I used paint and different textures to make my artwork.
My artwork connects to the theme ""United by the Seas, Together as One"" because the heart shows that everyone belongs and that we should love and care for the ocean and the animals that live in it.
I hope people who see my artwork feel love and think my painting is beautiful. I also hope it reminds them to help protect our oceans for everyone.
Sunset Tomi Wojtowicz
My artwork is called Sunset.
I was inspired by a beautiful photo of the ocean at sunset. I used acrylic paint on canvas to create bright colours for the sky, land and sea.
My artwork connects to the theme ""United by the Seas, Together as One"" because the ocean is something we all share and enjoy together.
I hope people who see my artwork feel happy and peaceful and remember how beautiful our oceans are.
Together By The Sea Matilda Moir
The sea connects people in the most wonderful ways
Drifting Together Penelope Bowes
This piece reflects the theme, United by the Sea, Together as One, by showing two turtles swimming in the same sea. The mother and baby turtle represent connection, care, and unity, showing that all ocean creatures live in the same vast blue waters. Looking after our marine environment is just as important as taking care of the land we live on.
Save Our Oceans Sienna McBlane
My artwork represents the ocean's struggles and suggests that if we all work unitedly we can save and restore our oceans. The theme is "United By The Seas, Together As One". My piece shows that we are the problem. I have used pieces of rubbish taken from daily-used products in the home to demonstrate the huge problem of plastics and other rubbish thrown into the oceans. But we are also the ultimate solution and by working hard enough, together collectively as one, we might just be able to heal and re-write the future for our seas. I have shown this by painting a yacht calmly and gently sailing the ocean, while a whale breaches on its way to warmer waters. The hands holding the rubbish represent the need to work together.
Work Hard and Study Good Julia Neves Esteves Slater
Work hard and study good means that we need to work together with other nations to study the ocean environment so we can look after the sea lives and have food for everybody without destroying it.
Sea of Earth Frankie Larrigo
My artwork is called Sea of Earth.
I made this artwork because I love painting and I wanted to show how beautiful the sea is.
I used acrylic paint and paint markers to create my picture.
My artwork connects to the theme ""United by the Seas, Together as One"" because the sea and the sky come together. They make one beautiful world for everyone to enjoy.
Rainbow Ocean Ann Tiji
I was inspired by the colourful ocean paintings of Australian artist Deb Naughton. Her bright colours and flowing shapes made me think about the beauty of the sea and how different colours can work together.
I used acrylic paint and paint pens to create my artwork. I enjoyed blending lots of bright rainbow colours to make the ocean feel joyful and full of life.
My artwork connects to the theme ""United by the Seas, Together as One"" because the ocean brings people and places together. Just like all the colours in a rainbow belong together, people from different backgrounds can come together as one community.
I hope people who see my artwork feel happy and notice how bright colours can remind us of kindness, friendship and belonging. I want my artwork to show that we are stronger when we work together, just like the colours of a rainbow.
Love Always Finds a Way Pippa McIlroy
My artwork is called ""Love Always Finds a Way."" I was inspired after seeing a bottle on the beach, which gave me the idea of creating a message in a bottle. I wanted to show that even when people are far apart, love and hope can still bring them together.
I used paint, oil pastels and paint pens to create my artwork. These materials helped me add bright colours and details that make the message stand out.
My artwork connects to the theme ""United by the Seas, Together as One"" because the sea can carry messages and connect people from different places. It reminds us that kindness, hope and love can always find a way to reach someone.
I hope people who see my artwork feel hopeful and think about how small acts of kindness can connect us. I want them to remember that no matter where we are in the world, we can always care for one another and that love always finds a way.
Together By Grey Sea Felicity Plummer
I created Together by Grey Sea because I love making art. I used coloured pencils, charcoal and blending tools to create my artwork. My artwork shows two people finding each other by the sea, reminding us that the ocean brings people together. I hope people think about life and the connections we share.
Sunset Creatures Harper Lonsdale
I created 'Sunset Creatures' to recognise that all creatures see the same sun; humans, land animals and sea life. I used different thickness of paint to add contrast. I hope you feel calm and happy when you look at it, because that is how I felt when I created it.
Beach Island Jiya Satishkumar
I created this artwork because I love going to the beach. When I visit the beach, it makes me feel happy. I used acrylic paint and oil pastels to create the sky, water, sand and trees.
My artwork connects to the theme ""United by the Seas, Together as One"" because the beach and the ocean are places that everyone can enjoy together.
I hope people who see my artwork feel happy and enjoy the beautiful beach. I also hope they remember how special our oceans are and why we should care for them.
The Sea Collage Juni Lindsell
I created this artwork because I wanted to have fun and I knew my painting did not have to be perfect. I used paint and paint pens to create the colours, patterns and sea animals.
My artwork connects to the theme ""United by the Seas, Together as One"" because it shows the colours, patterns and creatures that make the ocean a beautiful place we all share.
I hope people who see my artwork remember that art does not have to be perfect. I want them to enjoy being creative and to appreciate the beauty of the sea.
A Dolphin's Mind Avery McBurnie
I created this artwork because I love the ocean and dolphins. Going to the beach inspired me, and I wanted to imagine what it might be like to see the world through a dolphin's eyes.
I used paint, paint pens and stencils to create my artwork. The dolphin swimming through the sea reminds us that the ocean is its home and that all sea life belongs there.
My artwork connects to the theme ""United by the Seas, Together as One"" because the ocean connects people and animals, and we all share the responsibility of protecting it.
I hope people who see my artwork feel curious and imagine what life is like for a dolphin. I also hope they are inspired to care for our oceans and the animals that live in them.
The Ocean Currents Maddie Gurr
I created this artwork because I wanted to think outside the box and create something different. I was inspired by the movement of the ocean currents and used my imagination to turn them into an abstract artwork.
I used paint and a paint flow technique to create my artwork. The flowing lines and shapes represent the movement of the ocean and the energy of the sea.
My artwork connects to the theme ""United by the Seas, Together as One"" because ocean currents connect countries, people and marine life across the world. They show that the oceans link us all together.
I hope people who see my artwork feel curious and full of wonder. Because my artwork is abstract, I want viewers to look closely, imagine their own ideas and discover something new each time they see it.
The Morning Surf Remy Read
I was inspired to create this artwork after a holiday at Blueys Beach. I loved watching the waves, the sunrise and all the people enjoying the beach together.
I used watercolour paint, canvas and paintbrushes to create my artwork. I wanted to capture the peaceful colours of the morning and the beauty of the ocean.
My artwork connects to the theme ""United by the Seas, Together as One"" because the beach brings people together. Families and friends can enjoy the sea, the sand and the waves while making happy memories together.
I hope people who see my artwork feel happy and excited.
The beach from above Finley Sutton
I created this artwork because I love the beach. It is one of my favourite places to visit with my family.
I used watercolours and paintbrushes to create my artwork. I painted the beach from above to show the colours, the water and the people enjoying it together.
My artwork connects to the theme ""United by the Seas, Together as One"" because the beach is a place where families and friends come together to spend time with each other. It is a place where everyone can enjoy the sea.
I hope people who see my artwork feel amazed and remember happy times they have spent at the beach with the people they love.
The busy ocean Mia Mojtowicz
I created this artwork because I love the ocean and I enjoy going to the beach with my family. The beach is one of my favourite places to visit.
I used paint and created my fish by painting over a picture. I liked adding lots of sea creatures to make the ocean look busy and full of life.
My artwork connects to the theme ""United by the Seas, Together as One"" because my family and I enjoy going to the beach together. The ocean is a place where families, people and sea animals all come together.
I hope people who see my artwork feel happy. I want them to enjoy looking at the busy ocean and remember the fun times they have shared with their own family at the beach.
Sunset on the beach Leilani Gabrysiak
I created this artwork because I was inspired by the warm, beautiful colours I saw in Bali. The sunsets there made me want to paint my own peaceful beach scene.
I used acrylic paints, paintbrushes and canvas to create my artwork. I enjoyed blending the warm sunset colours and creating a calm atmosphere.
My artwork connects to the theme ""United by the Seas, Together as One"" because nature cares for itself and all living things depend on one another. Birds look after their young, and the sea provides a home for many plants and animals. It reminds us that we all share the same world and should care for it together.
I hope people who see my artwork feel happy and think it is incredible. I hope they enjoy the warm colours and remember how beautiful nature can be when we take care of it.
Sunset Sea Rose Owen
I created this artwork because I love it when I see the sunlight shining on the water.
I used acrylic paint and paint pens to create my artwork. I enjoyed painting the bright sunset colours and the sea.
My artwork connects to the theme ""United by the Seas, Together as One"" because the sea is home to many animals that live together. They share the ocean and depend on one another.
I hope people who see my artwork feel united and notice how beautiful the sunlight looks on the water. I want my artwork to remind people that the ocean is a special place where animals and nature come together as one.
Under the Pacific Eve Lorenz
I created this artwork because I really like the ocean. I am amazed by all the wonderful things that live under the sea.
I used paint to create my artwork. I enjoyed painting the bright sea creatures and the colours of the ocean.
My artwork connects to the theme ""United by the Seas, Together as One"" because the ocean is home to many amazing animals like octopuses, jellyfish and fish. The sea connects all of these creatures and the people who care for them.
I hope people who see my artwork feel happy and joyful. I hope they look closely at the sea creatures and remember how wonderful and beautiful the ocean is.
Light on the shipwreck Patrick Bull
I created this artwork because I love the sea and wanted to make an artwork that matched the theme. I think the ocean is full of amazing things to discover.
I used paint, paint pens, canvas and stencils to create my artwork. These materials helped me add details to the shipwreck, the sea animals and the moonlight.
My artwork connects to the theme ""United by the Seas, Together as One"" because the ocean is home to many animals and connects people all around the world. It reminds us that we all share and care for the same sea.
I hope people who see my artwork notice the beauty of the ocean. The moonlight shines deep into the water and reflects on the shipwreck, making people wonder about the stories hidden beneath the sea. I hope my artwork helps people appreciate the beauty and mystery of the ocean.
Under the Beautiful Ocean Boston Reid
I created this artwork because I wanted to have fun, create something meaningful and make myself proud. I wanted to show how beautiful the ocean is.
I used paint and paint pens to create my artwork. These materials helped me add bright colours and details to the underwater world.
My artwork connects to the theme ""United by the Seas, Together as One"" because people all around the world are connected by the ocean. The sea brings people, animals and nature together.
I hope people who see my artwork feel happy and joyful. I also hope my artwork inspires them to create something of their own and to appreciate the beauty of the ocean.
Addi's Ocean Addison Lonsdale
I made this artwork because I love the ocean and I love swimming. The beach is one of my favourite places.
I used paint, paint pens, paintbrushes and texture to create my artwork. I liked making the ocean bright and beautiful.
My artwork connects to the theme ""United by the Seas, Together as One"" because the hearts show love, friendship and kindness. The ocean brings people together and reminds us to care for each other and our world.
I hope people who see my artwork think it is pretty and feel happy. I hope they can see how much I love the ocean.
The Shimmering Sunset Isla Anderson
I created The Shimmering Sunset because I love the ocean and think sunsets are beautiful. I blended paints to create the glowing colours across the water. My artwork connects to the theme United by the Seas, Together as One because the ocean joins people and places around the world. I hope people feel calm and remember that we are all connected by the sea.
Golden Hour at Sea Kenzie Murray
I created Golden Hour at Sea because I love the beautiful colours of the sunset over the ocean. I used acrylic paint to show birds and fish living together in harmony. My artwork celebrates how the sea connects all living things, and I hope people feel calm when they see it.
Soothing Sunset Ivy Haile
I created Soothing Sunset because I love the beautiful colours of the sunset over the ocean. I used paint, paintbrushes and paint markers to create my artwork. My artwork shows how the sea connects beaches and people. I hope people think about the ocean and the fun and happiness it brings.
Night of the Fishes Maeve Lindsell
I created The Night of the Fishes because I love watching fish swimming in the ocean at sunset. I used paint and stencils to create my artwork. My artwork shows how the sea is a fun place where everyone belongs. I hope people feel happy when they see it.
Ice and Sand Jeremiah Schwartz
I created Ice and Sand to show how different places around the world are connected by the sea. My artwork reminds us that, even though oceans separate us, they also bring people, animals and places together. I hope viewers think about exploring our world and caring for it.
Fishy Fun Edie Agland
I created Fishy Fun because I love marine life. I used paint and paint pens to create a colourful underwater world. My artwork shows that everyone belongs, just like all the sea creatures in the ocean. I hope people feel happy and included when they see it.
The Abstract Sea Chloe Curtis
I created this artwork because I love making art and I love going to the beach and seeing the ocean. The sea makes me feel calm, happy and inspired.
I used watercolour paints and brushes to create my artwork. I added flowing colours and gold highlights to show how everything in the ocean is connected.
My artwork connects to the theme ""United by the Seas, Together as One"" because the gold lines join together, just like the oceans connect people and places around the world.
I hope people who see my artwork feel connected, amazed and loved. I want them to enjoy the beauty of the sea and think about how the ocean brings people together, no matter where they live.
Midnight Fireworks Sophie Wink
I created this artwork because watching the fireworks over the Sydney Harbour Bridge is a special family tradition. It is something my family loves to do together every year.
I used watercolour paints and paintbrushes to create my artwork. I used bright colours to capture the excitement and beauty of the fireworks lighting up the night sky.
My artwork connects to the theme ""United by the Seas, Together as One"" because the fireworks bring people together beside the harbour to celebrate as one community. Families and friends gather by the sea to share a beautiful experience.
I hope people who see my artwork feel happy, excited and connected. I want them to think about how special it is when families and communities come together to celebrate and make lasting memories.
A Bridge to Stockton Adelaide Gunter
I created this artwork because I love the reflections on the water. I wanted to paint a place that is special and beautiful.
I used watercolour paints and brushes to create my artwork. I carefully painted the bridge and its reflection in the water.
My artwork connects to the theme ""United by the Seas, Together as One"" because the bridge connects people and places across the water. It shows how the sea brings communities together.
I hope people who see my artwork feel loved and appreciate the beauty of the water and the way it connects us all. I want them to notice the reflections and think about how the sea helps bring people together.
Countries all together Hunter Donaldson
I created this artwork because I like painting and I wanted to show how countries can be connected. I think the sea helps bring people together.
I used paint and gently stroked my brush to create my artwork. This helped me show the ocean and the countries around it.
My artwork connects to the theme ""United by the Seas, Together as One"" because the sea connects countries all around the world. Reefs, oceans and waterways help link people, places and nature together.
I hope people who see my artwork think about how the sea connects us all and how countries can work together to care for our oceans.
Sea of Dreams Olivia Paunovic
I have used a mixture of mosaic tiles and clay to capture the beauty underneath the oceans surface.
Selien Remy Sutton
My artwork is called Selien because they are my favourite sea creatures
I painted the background blue with water colour paint for the ocean and added some layers with white paper then drew my Seliens on it . It is a mum dad and baby it makes me feel happy.
Searching for the Light Cora Benson
Searching for the light is painting of one of my favourite sea creatures, the Orca. Orca’s are majestic and intelligent and bring people together.
Sunset Over Sea Navea Jido
I created Sunset Over Sea because I wanted to paint the beauty of the ocean at sunset. I used paint and mixed colours to create a unique sky over the sea. My artwork celebrates the beauty of the ocean and reminds us that it is a special place we all share. I hope people feel surprised and inspired when they see it.
Help Our Seas Ariana Lonie
I created Help Our Seas to remind people to care for our oceans. I used watercolours and paint to show why it is important to protect marine life and keep our beaches clean. I hope my artwork inspires people to pick up rubbish and help keep our seas beautiful.
Sunset Over Newcastle Mystica Rayappan
My biggest inspiration for Sunset over Newcastle was the beautiful coastline where I live. I used acrylic paint and Posca pens to capture the peaceful colours of the ocean at sunset. My artwork celebrates how the sea connects people and places, and I hope everyone who sees it feels calm, relaxed and at peace.
Golden Hour at Sea Ivy Tupou
I created Golden Hour at Sea because I love the peaceful colours of the ocean at sunset. I used acrylic paint and textures to show birds flying and fish swimming together. My artwork reminds us that the sea connects us all, and I hope people feel calm when they see it.
wasted oceans Egan Pepperall
***student wanted to state artwork sale price negotiable ****
In my artwork, I wanted to show the difference between the things humans build and the natural world. On one side I used strong shapes and bright colours to look like buildings, and on the other side I used softer textures to show rocks and water. I liked mixing these ideas because it shows how people and nature are always connected.
A big part of my theme is being united by the sea, together as one. The ocean in my artwork is the place where both sides meet. Even though the shapes and colours are different, the sea brings them together. I wanted to show that water can connect places, people, and ideas, no matter how different they are.
I didn’t try to paint a real place. Instead, I wanted it to feel like a map from above, where you can imagine your own story. The colours help show the contrast between man‑made areas and natural ones, but the sea helps them blend and feel like one whole picture.
My goal was to make something that feels calm but still full of movement, like the land and water are always changing and working together.
Sea of Tranquility Finn Doyle
I created this artwork because I was inspired by the colourful coral reef in Finding Nemo. I love how bright, vibrant and full of life the reef is, and I wanted to capture that feeling in my own painting.
I used paint, coloured markers and layered collage techniques to create colourful coral, fish and sea creatures. I carefully arranged the shapes and patterns to show the amazing diversity of life beneath the ocean.
My artwork connects to the theme ""United by the Seas, Together as One"" because a coral reef is like a meeting place where many different sea creatures live together. Even though every fish, turtle and coral is different, they all depend on one another and share the same home.
Njord's Dive Isabella Freestone
The ocean. Gorgeous. Ethereal. Sacred. Njord, the Norse god of the sea, he gazes in peaceful amazement at his work, eyes caught on the grace of it all. The attempts to heal his dying masterpeice seen on the ocean floor, an artificial coral cage, regrowing the very structure of it all.
I attempted to convey the business, yet order. The vibrance, yet peace. The irreplacable beauty and brilliance of the ocean in my artwork, using acrylic paint and lead pencil (for the base sketch) to create the piece.
The Beauty We Carry Luca McPherson
We all carry beauty in different ways. We just have to know where to look to see it.
Rebuilding Together Maxwell Furber
Linoprint ink and watercolour paint on layered paper
21 x 15cm
Recently, I learnt that oysters, one of the world’s most efficient water filters that cleanse our oceans of pollutants and chemicals put into the water by human industry are dying from this filtration process, their guts filled with microplastics and chemicals. However, this is not without hope, humankind has been working together, putting some of our best scientific minds and volunteers to create artificial oyster beds away from chemically polluted waters, using seed oysters from our controlled farming environments and putting them back into the ocean thus starting the slow process to rebuild a once flourishing population.
I have created a multimedia artwork to represent the hopeful work that humanity has put towards restoring our oceans to the prime of the past. Hopefully giving a vision of the truely great work that we can do if we work alongside one another to make a better world.
In the artwork I used the sharp angles and geometric shapes of the linoprint to represent human ingenuity and the soft shades of the watercolour to represent the natural environment fusing easily to our work.
Sunset Under the Sea Mabel Read
I created Sunset Under the Sea because I love colourful sunsets and happy fish. I used bright paint to show the ocean full of life. My artwork reminds us that the sea is a beautiful home for many animals, and I hope it makes people smile.
Night Sky Ari Griffon
My artwork connects to the theme "United by the Seas, Together as One" because it shows different sea creatures working together in the ocean, even though they are all different.
The Ocean's Secret Window Mia Snellenburg
I painted an underwater cave because the ocean is full of amazing creatures that all share the same home. Even though they are all different, they live together peacefully, showing how the sea connects us all.
Sleeping Giant Mia Kelly
Sleeping Giant is a resin artwork featuring a whale shark, inspired by one of my most meaningful memories. Before my grandfather passed away, I had the opportunity to swim with whale sharks, making this artwork a reminder of that special experience and the connection we shared. Through the layers of resin, I wanted to capture the calm beauty of the ocean and the gentle nature of these incredible animals.
