Sarah Browne and Sasha Sykes awarded Golden Fleece Prize 2025
Artists Sarah Browne and Sasha Sykes have been announced as the 2025 winners of the prestigious Golden Fleece Award, Ireland's largest prize for visual and applied arts.
The award, which provides €10,000 to each recipient, aims to provide resources for creative practitioners to innovate and develop their artistic vision at a key point in their careers.
The prizes were presented at a ceremony in Dublin Castle: Browne was selected in the Visual Art category, while Sykes was awarded under Craft + Applied Art.
The Golden Fleece Award was established through a bequest by Dublin-born artist, researcher and educator Lillias Mitchell in 2001, to support artists originally from or currently living on the island of Ireland working in all forms of visual, craft and applied arts.
Sarah Browne, who works primarily through sculpture, film, and performance, is known for exploring embodied knowledge and non-verbal forms of communication. Her recent work often involves collaborative engagement and focuses on justice, labour, and care.
Sasha Sykes, an artist and designer with a background in architecture, creates sculptural works using natural materials such as plants, flowers, and algae, embedded in resin. Her pieces reflect themes of environmental change, decay, and preservation.
Clíodhna Shaffrey, Chair of the Award's Advisory Panel and Director of Temple Bar Gallery + Studios, emphasized the award's vital role in supporting artists' growth. "The Golden Fleece gives artists a timely boost for a specific step forward in their work," she said. "It enables risk-taking and experimentation, especially important in the current artistic climate."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Courier-Mail
3 minutes ago
- Courier-Mail
2025 Victorian Architecture Awards hail best in the business
A cemetery depot, $90m Parliament House rescue mission and an innovative cancer treatment centre have been crowned among Victoria's best architectural projects of 2025. The state's Architecture Awards handed out 40 gongs at a ceremony last night. More than 380 submissions were made across 15 categories to the Australian Institute of Architects' Victorian Chapter for this year's competition. FPPV Architecture received the Conservation Architecture Award for its 18-year long restoration of Parliament House in Spring St. RELATED: What's the true value of great public architecture? Douglas Menzies Chambers sells for $23m in Melbourne CBD Global second-hand fashion fave eyes big entry to Geelong The studio's director Paul Viney said that in the beginning, he had to justify to the Victorian government's Treasury department why the circa-1850s, heritage-listed site 'should be restored and why it shouldn't just be replaced in another location'. At the time, FPPV produced concept plans that showed moving Parliament House to Spring St's southern end would cost taxpayers an estimated $2bn. Instead, Mr Viney and his team embarked on a $90m marathon effort to return the state's seat of democracy to its former glory. 'We put nearly 1000 cubic metres of stone into the building,' Mr Viney said. The entire process involved more than 340 drawings, 13 separate stages and research into historic construction techniques. Mr Viney said working on the restoration had given him a sense of pride. 'It is really is about delivering the restoration … for one of the most important Victorian-era architecture buildings in Australia,' he added. Mr Viney credited the ex-Department of Premier and Cabinet Strategic Projects director Peter Lockett for his work in the decision-making process to restore Parliament House. A multi-award recipient in the competition was Glenroy's Northern Memorial Park depot. Commissioned by the Greater Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust, it features training spaces for workers to practise grave-digging and working with mausoleums away from crying eyes. Searle X Waldron Architects director and design lead Suzannah Waldron said a training wall with six crypts was created for this purpose. 'It's a unique project, I would say in that it's a very specific workplace for people who have quite challenging roles and dealing daily with grief and loss at a cemetery,' Ms Waldron said. Searle X Waldron's aimed to transform the typical 'shed' idea of a traditional depot into a light-filled workplace that fostered wellbeing and connection. The result was a two-storey timber building with a pleated and perforated screen that wraps around it, set near woody meadows, wetlands and future public space within the memorial park. Between 80 to 100 employees are based at the depot which also incorporates a timber workshop, a horticulture space and work areas for stone masons, mechanics, metalwork and welding. Another award winner was the $152.4m Paula Fox Melanoma and Cancer Centre at Alfred Hospital. Designed by the Melbourne-based Lyons, it was named in honour of trucking magnate Lindsay Fox's wife Paula who had the first of their six children at the hospital. The Fox family were among the project's philanthropic supporters. Lyons director Hari Pliambas said the centre's eye-catching patterned facade was inspired by the cellular structure of healthy skin, while features include gardens and a dedicated wellness centre with a gym and larger areas for yoga and group exercise. The Lyons team aimed to re-imagine the traditional clinical model while creating a property suited to cancer treatment, clinical trials and partners like Monash University. 'From our very first conversation with Paula Fox — who articulated her deeply personal vision for the centre — through to the clinicians, researchers, and the wider Alfred Health team, there was a genuine collective commitment to creating something meaningful for future patients,' Mr Pliambas said. Elsewhere, fashion label Decjuba's Cremorne headquarters by Jackson Clements Burrows Architects received a Commercial Architecture commendation. Architecture firm Hassell was commended in the same category for the revitalisation of 120 Collins St, one of Australia's tallest office structures at 265m tall. 2025 VICTORIAN ARCHITECTURE AWARD WINNERS Victorian Medal The Northern Memorial Park depot by Searle X Waldron Architects Melbourne Prize The Northern Memorial Park depot by Searle X Waldron Architects Commercial architecture The Sir Osborn McCutcheon Award for Commercial Architecture: Melbourne Place, Kennedy Nolan Architecture awards 116 Rokeby St, Carr Everlane Cremorne, Fieldwork Northern Memorial Park Depot, Searle x Waldron Architecture The StandardX, Woods Bagot Commendations 120 Collins St Revitalisation, Hassell Decjuba HQ, Jackson Clements Burrows Architecture Educational architecture The Henry Bastow Award for Educational Architecture: Pascoe Vale Primary School, Kosloff Architecture Architecture award Munarra Centre for Regional Excellence, ARM Architecture Commendations Kangan Institute Health and Community Centre of Excellence, Architectus Woodleigh Regenerative Futures Studio, Mcildowie Partners with Joost Bakker Heritage architecture The John George Knight Award for Heritage Central Goldfields Art Gallery, Nervegna Reed Architecture Architecture Award for Creative Adaptation Gunn Ridge House, Kennedy Nolan Architecture Award for Conservation Parliament House Stone Restoration Works, FPPV Architecture Commendation for Conservation Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve, Lovell Chen Interior architecture The Marion Mahony Award for Interior Architecture Melbourne Place, Kennedy Nolan Architecture Awards: Eva and Marc Besen Centre, Kerstin Thompson Architects she sells sea shells, Multiplicity Domain, Flack Studio Commendation Hume Council Chamber, Architecture Associates Public architecture The William Wardell Award for Public Architecture Eva and Marc Besen Centre. Kerstin Thompson Architects Architecture Awards Paula Fox Melanoma and Cancer Centre, Lyons Truganina Community Centre, Jasmax (Canvas Projects) Commendations Dendy Beach Pavilion and Brighton Life Saving Club, Jackson Clements Burrows Architects St Mary's Coptic Church, Studio Bright Residential architecture – houses (alterations and additions) The John and Phyllis Murphy Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations and Additions) Dunstan, SSdh Architecture Awards Carlton Cottage, Lovell Burton Architecture Gunn Ridge House, Kennedy Nolan Commendation A Light Addition, Office MI-JI Residential architecture – houses (new) The Harold Desbrowe Annear Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (New) Hedge and Arbour House, Studio Bright Architecture Awards Otway Beach House, Kerstin Thompson Architects she sells sea shells, Multiplicity Terrace House, Rob Kennon Architects Commendations Fishharven, Neil Architecture Shady Creek Farm House, MRTN Architects Stumpy Gully House, Adam Markowitz Design with Stavrias Architecture Residential architecture – multiple housing The Best Overend Award for Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing Nightingale Preston, Breathe Architecture Architecture Awards Newburgh Light House, Splinter Society Architecture Shiel St North Melbourne, Community Housing Project, Clare Cousins Architects Commendation The Paddock, CROSBY architects Small project architecture The Kevin Borland Award for Small Project Architecture Grace Darling Hotel Parklet, Kerry Kounnapis Architecture Practice Architecture Award Geelong Laneways: Malop Arcade, NMBW Architecture Studio with ASPECT Studios Commendation Wangun Amphitheatre, Equity Office Urban design The Joseph Reed Award for Urban Design Glen Huntly Station, COX Architecture with Rush Wright Associates Architecture Award Dendy Beach Pavillion and Brighton Life Saving Club, Jackson Clements Burrows Commendation Munarra Centre for Regional Excellence, ARM Architecture Enduring architecture Maggie Edmond Enduring Architecture Award Nicholas Building, Harry Norris COLORBOND award for steel architecture Casuarina Pavilion, Greenaway Architects (GA) Commendation Munarra Centre for Regional Excellence, ARM Architecture Dimity Reed Melbourne prize Northern Memorial Park Depot, Searle x Waldron Architecture EmAGN project award Dunstan, SSdH Regional prize Munarra Centre for Regional Excellence, ARM Architecture Sustainable architecture The Allan and Beth Coldicutt Award for Sustainable Architecture The Paddock, CROSBY architects Architecture Award Woodleigh Regenerative Futures Studio, Mcildowie Partners with Joost Bakker Commendation Northern Memorial Park Depot, Searle x Waldron Architecture Emerging architect prize Stephanie Kitingan, Jacqueline OBrien, James Flaherty, Placement Bates Smart architecture in media State Award March Studio: Making Architecture, Material & Process, Dr Fleur Watson National Award Gromboyd, Maria Larkins Advocacy Award When Robin Boys Went to Japan, NMBW Architecture Studio and Robin Boyd Foundation with CIBI Sign up to the Herald Sun Weekly Real Estate Update. Click here to get the latest Victorian property market news delivered direct to your inbox. MORE: Mount Waverley luxe designer home hits market Cranbourne church turned tavern listed for $3.6m Jaw-dropping Aussie mansion shatters record
News.com.au
6 minutes ago
- News.com.au
How Queensland toppled the mighty British and Irish Lions in 1971
With a pre-match steak from a local pub settling in their stomachs, hope in their eyes and will in their hearts, the 1971 Queensland rugby team played themselves into folklore by beating the British Lions 15-11 at Ballymore. Fifty-four years later Queensland will again play the Lions - on Wednesday at Suncorp Stadium. And each and every member of the current Reds side would do well to take the leaf out of the books from the class of '71 whose deeds against the odds reached sporting miracle status. Back in 1971 the Barry Honan-captained state side arrived at Ballymore for the midweek match after mustering for lunch at the Belfast Hotel where they ingested a steak, potato, salad and also a rousing pre-game speech from coach Bob Templeton. 'Tempo said they (the Lions) are expecting to beat us handsomely, but that this was a fantastic opportunity,'' skipped Honan recalled. 'He said you can play season long for your club and Queensland, but these one-off games, if we won, would be something people would remember for the rest of their lives.'' Queensland fullback Lloyd Graham, a field goal hero after his staggering 55m goal from an angle helped his side win, said while it was backs to the wall stuff, coach Templeton gave the team hope. 'Tempo said we are up against some pretty heavy stuff. But he virtually said if we all buckle down, we can make a game of this and possibly win,'' Graham said. 'We all looked at each other and thought 'that is ridiculous'. 'But by the time we got to Ballymore we had convinced ourselves that we were a chance. 'We couldn't wait to get on the field and see how good we could be. 'And we won it on defence. 'It was a funny thing. We were standing in the showers after the game and we could not believe what we had just done.'' Yet the day had started like any other for the players. Like any other Tom, Dick or Harry, the Queensland players had gone to their workplaces in the morning, unaware by day's end they would be sporting heroes. What a contrast it was for someone like skipper Honan. A schoolteacher, he took a maths class in the morning, but by day's end he was mobbed by a euphoric home crowd who had rushed onto the field to sweep the Queensland heroes away on an emotional magic carpet ride. 'We'd come from work that morning, had our big steak at the Belfast Hotel. We just arrived in individual cars and some of us, well, they tried to lock some of us out at the gate,'' Honan said, in reference to a gatekeeper not recognising one car load of players. The game was a pitched battle, which suited the Queensland forwards of the day just fine. Three penalty goals by winger Jeff McLean, a first half field goal by champion fullback Graham, and then a second, soaring 55m field goal in the second half by Graham was enough to give Queensland the win. It took tons of courage for Queensland to withstand the British battery, time and again, throughout the second half. A rallying Lions were coming to get Queensland in the second half and seemed certain to win, but they never did as the hometown heroes avoided capture due to their daring guts and desperation. After the match Lions captain John Dawes presented Barry Honan with the Lion that a British supporter had purchased in Singapore and handed to the Dawes so the side had a mascot for the tour. 'Up for grabs in the match was the Lion (mascot),'' Honan said. 'It was their official mascot and the idea was their captain John Dawes would present this Lion to the first team on tour to beat them on the tour of New Zealand or in their matches against Queensland and New South Wales. 'Well they did not know at the time that the Lion would last just one game after we had that historic victory.'' Graham believed the Queensland squad had been hardened by a long tour of New Zealand the year before. 'That was when we learnt a lot of things,'' he said. 'Our forwards toughened up. They realised how tough and how strong they had to be and how much defence we needed to do to improve. 'So it probably did not surprise me that we were capable of defending like we did that day against the Lions.'' In the Lions team were champions like Willie John McBride, Mike Gibson, David Duckham, Ian McLauchlan and captain Dawes. Queensland's win that day against the Lions, and then the Queenslanders 1980 victory over the All Blacks, are high tide moments in the code's history in this state. The living members of the Queensland side will be guest of the Australian Rugby Union at Wednesday's match. The Queensland team. Where are they now: 15. Lloyd Graham (GPS): A prodigious kicker, Graham has long retired from his work as an advertising executive and now lives in Brisbane's inner west. He was a big, strong fullback as a runner, but his kicking was out of this world. 'Against the Lions it did not surprise me to see the ball sailing back over my head after Lloydie kicked it,'' said Queensland captain Barry Honan. He kicked it a mile.'' 14. Jeff McLean (Brothers): Now deceased. McLean was 'the best winger in Australia at the time'' and the team goal kicker. 'He was internationally rated,'' Honan praised. 13. Alex Pope (Brothers): Still alive and living in Queensland, Pope was a tremendous defender, Although he had quick hands, it was his defence which stood out. Boy on boy, he was feared in defence. 12. Barry Honan (Brothers): Honan was the team's backline flagship, an Australian representative teammates looked up to. Lloyd Graham said of Honan: 'When I came into the team I said to myself 'stick around this bloke and he will make life easier for me'. Honan lives on the Sunshine Coast. 11. Richard Miller (University): Tall and athletic, Miller was a big winger for his era. He made the Brisbane U19 side after leaving school and improved with more experience. He lives locally in SEQ. 10. Geoff Richardson (Townsville): Living in Brisbane, dual international had no weaknesses in his game. He had played for NSW earlier in his career, but was in North Queensland when he was named for this match. He was simply a remarkable talent. 9. Mick Barry (Brothers): Now deceased, blindside specialist Barry 'was arguably the most underrated rugby player the country has ever seen,'' according to Honan. In his era were NSW champions John Hipwell and Ken Catchpole, so Barry played second fiddle. 'But in his own way he was every bit as good as them,'' Barry said. 'He won more games for Queensland and Brothers than anyone.'' 8. Keith Bell (University) A country boy from the Goondiwindi district, he was a Churchie boarder who played second row in the GPS First XV competition. He was a big, strong bloke, country tough who went on to play prop for Australia on a tour of the British Isles. He still lives on the Sunshine Coast. 7. Mick Flynn (Brothers) Tragically Mick Flynn died aged 23, but the Marist old boy was recognised as the finest flanker of his era. 'He had as much potential as any one around that time. He was a genuine athlete and a great loss. He would have played for Australia.'' 6. Rod Kelleher (Brothers) Kelleher currently lives in New Zealand. He was not a big bloke, but he had 'the heart of a Lion''. 'He was a bloke you learned to hate because he was always in your face tackling you,'' Graham recalled. Honan said Kelleher played above his weight and was a great teammate. 'He was a guts man with no fear,'' Honan said. 5. Stuart Gregory (University) Nick-named the Sandshoe, he lives around the corner from Graham in the inner west. A BBC old boy, he was an athlete who played many years for the Wallabies. He was not a big second rower, but he was a fine sportsman and a grand set piece performer. 4. Alan Skinner (Townsville) Whereabouts unknown, Skinner was named from the Queensland Country side. Like his second row mate Gregory, Skinner was no giant, but he was tall enough and a fine athlete with a high work rate. A former business executive, Skinner also represented NSW. 3. David Dunworth (Brothers) Now living on the Sunshine Coast, the Gregory Terrace old boy and former real estate agent had surprising speed for a big prop. 2. Mick Freney (Brothers) Freney was a noted improver the more his career unfolded. He was not a schoolboy prodigy - indeed he played Second XV at Nudgee - but the more he played, the better he got. 'To the point where he was good enough to play for Australia,'' Honan said. 1. Bruce Brown (University) An accountant, he was a front row tradesman notorious for his high work ethic. He was a veteran by the time the Lions match was played, having first represented Queensland in 1965. Reserves: Jules Guerassimoff (University) A breakaway still living locally, Guerassimoff was a magnificent competitor who was the elder statesman of the squad having first represented Queensland 10 years earlier. A Wallaby, he was a legend of his era, a hard worker who was a great mentor to younger players. Stan Pilecki (Wests) Now deceased, the ex-draftsman known as the 'Pole'' had broken into the Queensland side on the tour of New Zealand 12 months earlier. He was a front row giant, a man with hands the size of wicket keeper gloves who contributed in all forward phases. Honan described him as a player who would 'scare the life out of the opposition'' before a match even started. John Corness (Teachers-Norths) A farmer from New Zealand, Corness broke into representative football representing the Queensland Country side in 1968 and worked his way into the Queensland squad where he was a fine halfback. 'If Mick Barry was not around, he would have played a lot more for Queensland,'' praised Honan. David L'Estrange (Brothers) Still playing touch football, L'Estrange had lovely hands and good speed as a fullback and then as a centre. Nicknamed Lizard, he was a stylish player of his era who represented Queensland and Australia with distinction. He was also a noted defender. British Lions team: 15. R Hiller, 14. A Biggar, 13. J Dawes, 12. J Spencer, 11. D Duckman, 10. M. Gibson, 9 R Hopkins, 8. P Dixon, 7. F Slattery, 6. D Quinnell, 5. W McBridge, 4. G Brown, 3. F Lynch, 2. F Laidlaw, 1. J McLoughlin. Reserves: A Lewis, G Edwards, J Pullin, M Roberts
Morocco World
13 minutes ago
- Morocco World
EU Says It Again: Neither EU Nor Members Recognize Self-styled SADR
Marrakech – The European Union spokesperson for Foreign Affairs crushed separatist ambitions Friday, firmly declaring that 'neither the EU nor any of its Member States recognize the SADR.' This decisive statement shattered Polisario's attempts to exploit their marginal presence at the EU-AU ministerial meeting in Rome on June 27, where the fictional entity desperately sought international validation. The EU spokesperson meticulously dismantled any misconceptions by attributing the paper state's presence exclusively to African Union invitation procedures, asserting that 'invitations to African members are sent by the African Union.' He stressed that the EU's position remains unaltered despite the separatist group's attendance. 'The modalities agreed upon provide that each party is responsible for inviting its own members,' the spokesperson articulated, effectively severing any connection between EU policies and the illusory republic's participation. This latest rejection mirrors the humiliating scenario that unfolded last May during the AU-EU Ministerial Meeting in Brussels, where Polisario representatives encountered complete isolation and irrelevance despite maneuvering to attend under the African Union's umbrella. Just days before that Brussels meeting, the EU had already delivered an uncompromising repudiation of the phantom entity, with the bloc's spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy bluntly declaring that 'neither the EU nor any of its Member States recognize the SADR.' The spokesperson had emphatically hammered home that 'the position of the EU is well known' and that the illusory entity's presence 'at the EU-AU ministerial meeting has no influence whatsoever on this position,' representing a devastating diplomatic setback for the separatist agenda. Then, in Brussels, the separatist group's diplomatic insignificance crystallized when they received merely a hastily scribbled 'SADR' label on a plain sheet of paper, while legitimate African states enjoyed full protocol honors and recognition. During the meeting, the EU's High Representative deliberately vacated the room during the brief moments when a Polisario representative attempted to address the assembly, delivering an unmistakable message of rejection and further exposing the group's political invisibility. These mounting diplomatic failures for the Algerian-fabricated entity coincide with a seismic shift in international positions regarding the Western Sahara dispute. In July 2024, the African Union Executive Council demolished the separatist narrative with a resounding verdict—52 out of 54 nations voting to exclude the pseudo-state from the pan-African body's engagements with international partners. This overwhelming decision provoked Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf to erupt with claims that certain parties sought to 'institutionalize a policy of exclusion' against what he desperately characterized as 'a founding member of our organization.' Political analyst Oualid Kebir decoded this reaction as betraying a 'deep sense of pain and an explicit acknowledgment of the resounding diplomatic defeat' absorbed by Algeria, which had previously manipulated the fictional entity into positions within African institutions. The international community increasingly gravitates toward Morocco's 2007 Autonomy Plan as the definitive solution, supported by nearly two decades of UN resolutions endorsing this approach as the optimal route to a politically viable settlement. The momentum behind Morocco's territorial integrity continues to accelerate, with the United Kingdom recently joining the expanding coalition of 120 countries backing Morocco's plan—signaling the irreversible collapse of the separatist illusion. The fictitious 'SADR' entity, a destabilizing relic that only exists in Tindouf camps, remains propped up by Algeria while the actual territory thrives under Morocco's rightful and legitimate control. In another crippling blow to the Polisario's secessionist agenda, US Congressman Joe Wilson, alongside Democratic Representative Jimmy Panetta, has submitted a bipartisan bill seeking to classify the Polisario Front as a foreign terrorist organization, potentially subjecting it to stringent sanctions and complete diplomatic isolation. Just hours after this legislative push, the front delivered a confirmatory nudge to show its terror intentions by launching projectiles near the southern Moroccan city of Es-Smara, causing panic among civilians and prompting a MINURSO field investigation of what local Sahrawi NGOs condemned as a 'hostile act' violating international law. As Morocco approaches the 50th anniversary of the Green March on November 6, Morocco's Permanent Representative to the UN, Omar Hilale, has previously voiced optimism that this manufactured regional dispute approaches definitive resolution, potentially extinguishing Algeria's fabricated conflict and its invented proxy state. The latest EU pronouncement confirms the paper republic's deepening isolation, as the separatist agenda increasingly fades into irrelevance across international forums despite desperate maneuvers to sustain an illusion of legitimacy. Tags: European UnionSelf-proclaimed SADRWestern sahara
