Strong Voices

It’s been a record-breaking year for the IHC Art Awards, with more than 500 entries pouring in from across the country — each one a testament to the creativity and talent of the artists.

Taking out the top prize was Renee Derix from Hamilton, whose stunning mixed-media piece Underwater wowed the judges and earned her the $5,000 top prize. Renee crafted her winning artwork at Grey Street Studio, where she’s been a regular for nearly a decade.

Renee’s piece was snapped up on opening night, a clear sign of how much her work resonated with viewers.

Second place went to Wellington-based artist Amy Lewis for her heartfelt creation Angel for the People, a felted-wool angel delicately framed. Amy received $3,000 for her work.

Amy says coming second in the IHC Art Awards “made her feel happy.”  

Amy also makes her artwork into greeting cards that she sells at local artisan craft markets, at Coolsville Café in Hataitai and Alexander Pharmacy on Willis Street, Wellington. She has painted angel cards in the past and decided to try using the image with wool felting. Amy enjoys the medium because it is tactile and says, “felting is fun.”

Amy regularly attends Vincents Art Workshop and with her support worker Leanne has tried different mediums.

Third place and $2,000 was awarded to Amy Hall for Harriet: My Cat, a hand-sculpted ceramic vase that paid tribute to her beloved feline companion. Her piece captured the warmth and personality of Harriet, making it a standout among the entries.

“I feel really happy and proud to have come 3rd with my sculpture of Harriet” says Amy. “Art is such an important part of my life, especially ceramics and textiles, and I’m looking forward to making more work and entering the IHC Art Awards again next year.”

The Holdsworth Charitable Trust Scholarship Award, which supports art studios working with artists with intellectual disabilities, was awarded to Studio 2 in South Dunedin. The studio received $5,000 for a trio of powerful works: Love by Krystal Hislop, Hands by Leslie Wilson and Wairoa Awa by Sheree Whaiapu.

Studio2 Art Manager and Facilitator Phoebe Ryder was thrilled. “We were really excited about our artists’ mahi this year and we’re super grateful,” she says. While plans for the prize money are still being finalised, Phoebe hopes it will go toward new in-studio projects to keep the creative energy flowing.

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.

The stunning piece was created with pen and ink on paper and Julian says it was inspired by a nature documentary he saw on TV.  

Julian receives a $2000 prize courtesy of People’s Choice Award Sponsor Forté Recruitment.

Anita Murdoch, Director of Forté Recruitment, says:

“We are thrilled Julian won the People’s Choice Award this year. We are 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. Congratulations, Julian.”

Melika King, the new owner of The Jaguar, shares:

“I’m so happy for Julian to hear that his artwork has won the People’s Choice Award. The Jaguar will hang with Invisible Magic and Monarch, which are two of his other pieces that I’m the very grateful to be the owner of. The detail he puts into his work is extraordinary and I look forward to seeing what he produces next.”

The Youth Award, worth $1,500, went to Honor Griffiths from Rolleston for her mixed media piece Blue Purple Cool Yucky. Her bold and expressive work stood out for its originality and youthful flair.

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Image caption: This year’s judging panel with the winning artworks. (From left) Artist Michel Tuffrey, Webb’s Senior Art Specialist Mark Hutchins-Pond, Manager of Arts, Culture and Heritage at Napier City Council Elizabeth Caldwell and Auckland-based Arts and Culture Consultant Tim Walker.