2026 Student Award

Winner

Uri Bouman ‘Before the Search Bar’

Before the instant gratification of a search bar, CURIOSITY was a slow-burn
adventure. We relied on the heavy, physical presence of encyclopaedias and
library card catalogues to navigate the unknown. Seeking an answer meant
committing to a hunt—scanning dusty spines, flipping through glossaries and
cross-referencing indexes.

Reading was less about “snacking” on snippets of data and more about deep immersion. We didn’t just find facts; we stumbled upon tangential wonders in
the margins of a page. Books were our quiet, tactile portals, turning the quest
for knowledge into a patient, deliberate exercise in discovery.

Second Place

Pam Kelly ‘Ah, Gotcha’ 

Inspired by my favourite 1970’s Christmas gift – The Bug Catcher, used by curious kids to catch and “briefly” observe garden creatures.

The catcher’s iconic form becomes a hat, made from repurposed wool felt. An
ornamental grapevine that grew along our fence was recreated using Japanese mulberry style paper. Home to brightly coloured caterpillars here constructed from sequin material and dragonflies with wings of iridescent wire mesh.

Take a look at my bug catcher and reignite your childhood curiosity. Ah,
Gotcha…then again, maybe not.

Third Place

& Mary Lock Encouragement Award

Rachael Fenselau ‘Ersatz’

Reminiscent of fairy tales, old world magicians and my favourite childhood books. The eye will be drawn initially to the handle at the side of the hat, creating a sense of mystery. The ombre dyed straw will draw the eye upwards to the tip of the hat, to the cogs and working mechanisms. Curious? What happens when I turn the handle? What do the mechanics do? Will the hat magically take control of me if I do? Wait and see.

Kam Wong ‘Metamorphosis’

Inspired by transformative journey of a worm evolving into a butterfly. A narrative of growth, patience and emergence.

It begins with the worm’s stage of nourishment and accumulation, symbolizing foundation and survival. This is expressed through layered textures and organic forms that reflect the act of feeding and gaining strength.

Then the concept transitions into the cocoon phase – an intimate moment of stillness and internal development. This stage is interpreted through structured elements and enclosed shapes, suggesting protection and metamorphosis. The final expression captures the emergence of the butterfly. Delicate, expansive details represent the formation of wings, embodying freedom, transformation and rebirth.

Caroline Rayner ‘El Drac (The Dragon)’

Curiosity helps push the boundaries, which is exactly what Catalan architect and master designer Antonio Gaudi did; shaping the landscape of Barcelona and inspiring a generation.

Gaudi’s experimental designs and techniques, meshed bold, colorful, geometric design with elements of the natural world. He featured ceramics and stained glass into many of his projects. In homage to this creative genius, I submit my entry ‘El Drac’, inspired by Park Guell in Spain.

My brim was pieced together from felt off cuts and joined to resemble the mosaic wall. My motif is a representation of El Drac which has pride of place in the park. The glass beads reference many Gaudi works.