Grace Quigley
Manager External Comms •
Sydney
Media release: Francesca Owen wins 2025 Clayton Utz Art Award for her "deeply personal and timeless" piece
1 minute
Francesca Owen has won the 2025 Clayton Utz Art Award for her piece 'The Banya'. Ms Owen will receive $25,000 to support her in continuing her passion.
Award judge Sally Butler, Associate Professor in Art History at the University of Queensland, praised the work as "a quiet study in how art connects us to our inner life."
Ms Butler commented:
"Drawing on her background as an Olympic-level synchronised swimmer and performance artist, Owen replaces monastic prayer with the stillness of an underwater cell."
Ms Butler highly commended artists Tim Grey for 'Waiting for Smart', Kaz Stanton for 'Domestic Wilderness', Scott Breton for 'Light-knotted Sky', Todd Simpson for 'Lover's Caress', and Anthony Quidong for 'Resilience: Sentinel Paperbark Cooloola.'
The firm's People’s Choice winner was Todd Simpson for his piece ‘Lover's Caress'.
Clayton Utz Brisbane partner-in-charge Scott Sharry congratulated Francesca Owen, Todd Simpson and all finalists for their outstanding work.
"The Clayton Utz Art Award is a highlight of our Brisbane calendar, and each year we are inspired by the exceptional talent and creativity of Queensland’s emerging artists. We are proud to support those in our local artistic community."
The finalists' work will be on display in the reception area and meeting rooms on Level 28 of the Clayton Utz Brisbane office for the next 12 months.
Francesca Owen with her winning piece 'The Banya'.
Todd Simpson with his winning piece 'Lover's Caress'.
Get in touch
Disclaimer
Clayton Utz communications are intended to provide commentary and general information. They should not be relied upon as legal advice. Formal legal advice should be sought in particular transactions or on matters of interest arising from this communication. Persons listed may not be admitted in all States and Territories.