Despard Gallery is proud to announce that Tasmanian artist George Kennedy has been announced as the winner of the Bay Of Fires Art Prize 2026.
Dedicated to promoting the diversity of creative practice the Bay of Fires Art Prize has is one of Tasmania’s most diverse art awards, with a first prize of $20,000. The annual prize brings together finalists nationally, this year celebrating the theme of ‘everyday miracles’. The acquisitive award celebrates all forms of creative expression, from painting, ceramic, sculpture and photography.
Kennedy was announced as the winner of the acquisitive prize at a gala event on Friday (5 June), with his painting With Love, To The Bush (oil on canvas, 122 x 168 cm). This work forms part of a new series by Kennedy that examines the unique tones and light of the Australian bush, including its iconic gum trees.
“Every day I go for the same walk. Sometimes the sun warms the back of my neck and cracks form in the soil. Sometimes gusts from the west are so strong that the trees groan and creak. Today is quiet and calm. Fog hugs the shoulders of the hills, and the gums and wattles fade into white. New growth glistens around my feet as they sink into mud that wasn’t there yesterday. I wonder what I’ll see tomorrow.”
The three judge of this year’s prize were Tasmanian artists Katie Woodroffe and Jo Chew, as well as interior designer and creative Maureen Varnavsky, stating that the winning work was a unanimous decision. Kennedy joined a strong group of Despard artists in this year’s finalist exhibition, including Anne Morrison, Lisa Garland (Highly Commended), Milan Milojevic & Rosanagh May.
The finalist’s exhibition will be on display in the historic town of St Helens from Saturday 6 to Sunday 14 June.
George Kennedy