Winner: Marija Ercegovac, The Age, “Seeing Red”

Judges’ citation:

The judges were highly impressed by the calibre of entries in this year’s Artwork category, each demonstrating distinct artistic styles, thoughtful concepts, and strong narrative connections. After much deliberation, the 2024 award goes to Marija Ercegovac’s ‘Seeing Red’.

Marija’s artwork commands attention, transforming the shape of Victoria into a storm-battered ship listing into a sea of red—an evocative visual metaphor for the state’s financial turmoil. The bold colour palette, layered symbolism, and stormy imagery heighten the tone of the accompanying feature on Victoria’s economic challenges, resulting in a striking page layout. This powerful illustration not only enhances the written analysis but also stands as a compelling piece of visual storytelling in its own right.

Shortlisted:

Matthew Absalom-Wong and Patrick Elligett, The Age, “Here’s Donny!”

Richard Giliberto, The Age, “All Hail The King?”