Announcing the winners of the Inclusive Expressions Art Competition
A celebration of inclusive creativity
Thank you to everyone who entered Interact Australia’s inaugural Inclusive Expressions Art Competition. We received an overwhelming response of wonderful submissions from talented artists, each sharing creativity and a unique story through their artwork.
The Interact team would like to congratulate Alexandra Phoebe Atanasovski, whose series of artworks A little bit extra has been awarded first prize.
Alexandra is an artist living in south-eastern Melbourne, she shares about herself, “Born on a Strawberry farm in Healesville, Victoria, I have always been a bit extra. Always in my own little world, always creating or being the art. From stage to stove, I love to be a part of the freedom and structure of art expression, creation and passion it holds.”
Alexandra describes her artwork “A series of pencil drawings created from expressive “extra” selfies. Each one inspired by a time when the world felt limitless, when mummy always told me that no matter what my struggles are, I can become anything I want to….so I became a bit EXTRA.”
Second prize has been awarded to Shriya Rangaraju for the artwork The Flow of colours.
Shriya shares “My name is Shriya, and I am 20 years old. I was born with cerebral palsy. Since I was little, I have loved exploring colours and expressing myself through art. As I grew older, I began experimenting with different tools, first on paper and then on canvas. Drawing can be challenging for me, so I discovered that playing with colours is the best way for me to create art. Colour is my passion, and through it I express my creativity and imagination.”
Shriya describes the creative process, “One day, I was feeling bored and looking through my photo gallery when I came across a beautiful painting that inspired me. My mind was full of ideas, so I picked up my paintbrush and began creating. I had no expectations of how it would turn out. I simply started painting, using my tools, colours, and imagination, and let my creativity flow freely.”
Third prize has been awarded to Carol Taylor for the artwork On the Road to Everywhere.
After a spinal cord injury left Carol paralysed, including her hands, her husband adapted brushes and suggested art as healing. Carol paints with colour, memory and emotional honesty, transforming personal moments into stories of resilience and wonder. Her work honours movement, longing, hope and the courage to keep going.
Carol describes her artwork, “On the Road to Everywhere imagines me beneath a bright umbrella, moving toward an unknown horizon. The road bends ahead, open and uncertain, yet full of possibility. This painting is about freedom, resilience and the quiet courage to keep travelling, even when life takes us somewhere entirely unexpected.”
CEO’s Mention Awards
Jamie Barden, Interact Australia CEO, has selected Sandra Joy Stewart, Otto Van de Wijgaart, Alex Hoult and Jennifer Bowman-Day as the recipients of the CEO’s Mention Awards.
We sincerely thank every artist who participated. The creativity, talent and unique stories shared through your artwork have made Inclusive Expressions a wonderful celebration of inclusion, connection and self-expression. The full gallery of artworks will soon be available for viewing.