News

Hamilton artist Julian Godfery says it felt great to win the 2025 IHC Art Awards Forté Recruitment People's Choice Award with his striking work The Jaguar.

The Jaguar was a clear crowd favourite, earning 3,085 votes out of a total 9,480 cast by the public for this year’s 30 finalists.

It’s not Julian’s first win. He also claimed the same award in 2017 with his piece Invisible Magic.

Julian says his mother, artist Jane Galloway, is an inspiration to him and this particular work was sparked by a nature documentary he saw on TV.

He does his detailed pen-and-ink creations at home, the Enrich+ day base and at Jane’s Raglan studio.

His work has been exhibited at galleries around the North Island.

Art isn't his only creative outlet and he's also part of a band. "I play drums in Robert Mullen Junior and Friends which draws its musical inspiration from New Kids on the Block."

Jane says Julian has been drawing since he was five and always has a work on the go.

"He has made his style of pen-and-ink his own."

Anita Murdoch, Director of Forté Recruitment, says they're thrilled Julian won the People’s Choice Award.

"We're fortunate to have two of Julian's pieces in our office and look forward to seeing his future work. We’re also sending him a prize pack of art supplies alongside the award money.” Julian won $2,000 for his work.

The new owner of The Jaguar, Melika King, says she's delighted for Julian.

"The Jaguar will hang with Invisible Magic and Monarch, which are two of his other pieces that I’m the very grateful owner of.

"The detail he puts into his work is extraordinary and I look forward to seeing what he produces next.”