Campbelltown, NSW – artistic spirits are soaring high and canvases are glowing brightly as the prestigious Fisher’s Ghost Art Award winners are officially announced – marking yet another spectacular year of cultural tradition. Coinciding with the iconic Festival of Fisher’s Ghost, thisannual Campbelltown showcase celebrates community, creativity, and visual storytelling.
This year, artist Nicole Barakat took home the coveted $50,000 Open Award for her deeply moving masterpiece A Language For The Emptiness Of Words – created through the tender transformation of deconstructed garments. The piece creates a wholesome space for collective grief and reflection, and serves as a poetic response to increasingly devastating global events and the silence they leave behind.
The judges described the work as profound, courageous, and a major milestone in her artistic evolution, praising its ability to confront both political and cultural currents with emotional clarity.
Winners were selected by an impressive panel composed of MAMA CEO Blair French, artist and Utp Creative Producer Eddie Abd, and Parramatta Artists’ Studios Director Sidney McMahon. Each of the winners impressed the panel with their technical mastery and bold conceptual vision. The judges also noted a strong connection between the winning cohort and Western Sydney, highlighting the region’s resilient and vibrant creative community.
Mayor Cr Darcy Lound praised each of the participants and applauded the growing appeal of the annual event, which saw a record-breaking number of submissions. The Mayor encouraged art lovers and the curious alike to explore the exhibition and celebrate local creative talent.
Campbelltown Arts Centre Director Mouna Zaylah echoed the enthusiasm, noting that this year’s exhibition embraces a diverse range of artists across backgrounds and ages. From emerging makers to established creatives, the works submitted this year offer powerful, reflective storytelling across a wide array of mediums and styles.
2025 Category Winners
Open Award – Nicole Barakat, A Language For The Emptiness Of Words
Contemporary – Freya Jobbins, Self Portrait with Fish Hooks
Traditional – Anamika, Raas (dance of love)
Macarthur Award – David Hawkes, 2560
Aboriginal Art Award – Miranda Hampson, WHERE THE TIDE LEFT ME BEHIND
People’s Choice – Talya Brookman, Tether
With more than $60,000 in prizes and nearly seven decades of history, the Fisher’s Ghost Art. Award remains one of the most influential events in the annual arts calendar and stands as a joyful testament to the miracle of human imagination.
Don’t forget to visit this year’s exhibition, running from 27 September until 16 November, giving you plenty of time to head over to Campbelltown to explore, be inspired, and perhaps even take home a little piece of artistic history of your own.
So, if you’re ready to experience the magic, stop by the Campbelltown Arts Centre this weekend.