2025 Child Rights Art Competition

Over 300+ artwork submissions were received!
Children’s Rights Queensland (CRQ), in partnership with the Queensland Family and Child Commission (QFCC), proudly delivered a statewide art competition that invited children and young people to creatively express what it means to be loved, respected, and have their rights upheld.
Participants were encouraged to reflect on and visually represent the QFCC’s vision statement: “Every Queensland child is loved, respected and has their rights upheld.”
This initiative aimed to spark creativity, celebrate diverse perspectives, and inspire rights-based conversations in communities across Queensland. More than 300 entries were received, and first, second, and third place winners shared in over $2,000 worth of prizes.
Through the power of art, this competition spotlighted the voices of children and young people from across the state.
A huge thank you to all the incredible young Queensland artists who participated and submitted artwork. The judging panel found it incredibly challenging to select winners from such a high standard of entries. Congratulations to everyone involved! Check out the winning artworks below...
Birth to 5 Years Category

First: Goodstart Early Learning Tallai
"Our House of Rights"
This is our house where we feel safe. Inside, there’s Daddy, Mummy, Nanna, Poppy and Uncle, people who help us when we’re sad or scared. They give hugs, keep monsters away, and let us sleep close when we need to. Outside the house are the monsters, but they can’t come in.
Our house is full of love, cuddles, and kind words. We painted this house to show that every child should feel safe, loved, and heard. It’s not just a picture it’s our dream house where everyone feels okay inside their heart.
Material: Acrylic paint, textas, paper, beads, gems, puffy paint, craft sticks

Second: Bribie Island Community Kindergarten
"We Grow with Love, Trust and Respect"
Artists statements included in the artwork.
Material: Children's voices, Texta pens

Third: Eugine, 4 years (Avenues Early Learning Centre)
"The Hug that Stretches Across Queensland"
Two bright blue handprints reach across the sky, like open arms spreading wide, stretching far enough to wrap around all of Queensland. In one giant, love-filled hug. Especially his mummy hugs and love.
Beneath the sun’s yellow glow, a joyful figure dances in a field of green,
surrounded by pink hearts (pink is his lovely mummy favorite colour) and blooming flowers, where laughter floats with the breeze.
Eugene drawn with love, where hands are bridges, hearts are skies, And even the tallest grass leans in. To feel the warmth of a hug that stretches across the land.
Material: Watercolour, acrylic pens and brushes
6-11 Years Category

First: Evelyn Lewsey, 9 years
"The Road to Rights"
I wanted to show that ALL kids have rights no matter their age, colour or ability. For me, the most important one is the right to have a say. I called it road to rights because I wanted to show a road where you meet all the different types of kids standing up for their rights. We’re all on a journey to help kids understand that they matter.
Material: Polymer clay, cardboard, paper, matchsticks, stickers, pom poms, glue

Second: Genevieve Sebastian, 11 years
"The World Through a Child's Eyes"
I created this artwork to show the world, what I believe every child deserves—a world filled with love, care, respect, safety, and equal opportunities. Divided into four sections, it weaves together stories of inclusion of children with disabilities, the love and support of a stable family, the safety and protection offered by caregivers, and the right to education and dreams, centred around the unifying image of children from all walks of life gathered together. It is a visual manifesto—a reminder that the future of our world depends on how we nurture and empower children today.
Material: 300gsm watercolour paper, Watercolour paints , Watercolour pencils , Posca markers, Graphic markers and waterproof micron pens

Third: Kikandrya Gautama, 9 years
"Queensland Kids Nature"
I drew kids being kind to each other, respecting different people, believing in themselves, caring for each other and being loved. I drew this because it’s important to do all of that so people won’t hurt other people’s feeling and children will grow as happy people. The inspiration for my work was coming from seeing other people around me doing it (respect, etc), and also people doing it to me.
Material: Paper, marker, colour pencil
12-16 Years Category

First: Ella Park, 14 years
"Different."
This story brings attention to the racial issues and injustices experienced by children in school. All Children are same, regardless of their skin colour, ethnic background, or disability. We all have the same right to be treated equally and with respect.
I was born in Australia, and I speak English like everyone around me. But my face tells a different story-my parents are Korean. Am I Australian? Am I Korean? Maybe I am both, and that's the beauty of identity. People still judge me by the colour of my skin. Does appearance mean everything?
Difference should be embraced.
Material: Used the 'PowerPoint' Ms program and drew with a digital pen.

Second: Mikayla Dunne, 15 years
"Comfort and Stability"
“I wanted to include the nature of Queensland by adding a beach scene for the background.”
“The child being physically held shows the security and trust a parental figure provides.”
“The intertwined arms represent the mutual respect of an embrace.”
“The soft colours display the gentleness of a young mind, how fragile and delicate they are.”
Material used: Acrylic Paint, pencil, 40.6x50.8cm canvas, paintbrush and water

Third: Mali Ardle, 14 years
"From Little Things Big Things Grow"
What’s in a name? A Name given to a child at birth holds an origin of meaning, possibilities and expectations. How we are nurtured shapes who we are, the opportunities and the way we grow is determined by our environment, family and support systems.
Sometimes these support systems enable children to flourish, while for others their opportunities are diminished by invisible barriers built by lack of rights, education, poverty or broken family structures. Letters of my name are spelled out, intertwined with imagery of growth and support networks, colourful hues highlight the bright future that lies ahead for me.
Material: Watercolour, acrylic paint, colour pencil, ink pen.
17-25 Years Category

First (Tie): Sarah Flohr, 18 years
"Through the Eyes of a Child"
This oil painting represents the theme “Every Queensland child is loved, respected and has their rights upheld” through the symbolic use of heart-shaped balloons as mirrors of the environment that surrounds a child. Each balloon reflects a peaceful, grounded setting of homes, open green spaces, and natural landscapes evoking feelings of safety, warmth, and belonging. By incorporating everyday scenes of rural Queensland within each balloon, I wanted to show that children everywhere from cities to country towns deserve to feel secure and valued.
Material: Oil paints, paint brushes and canvas board

First (Tie): Jacynta Ahwang, 17 years
"A World for All Children"
The artwork represents the advocacy of children’s rights in Queensland. I have incorporated geographical references to the land and sea. There is Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander symbols that represent my culture and family. Children are our future and it is everybody’s responsibility to take care of our young people and make sure they are safe.
Material: Digital Artwork created on iPad

Third: Zoe Fisher, 17 years
"A Strange Self in a Sweet Disguise"
This artwork explores how society plays a huge role in shaping our identity through expectations, stereotypes, beauty standards and social behaviors. The candy hearts symbolise different aspects of identity, reflecting how people are defined by experiences, emotions and expectations placed on them. Each heart shows sides of identity and individuals navigate pressure to follow while trying to embrace their true selves. Every Queensland child is loved, respected and has their rights upheld. I want the audience to question what the artwork means and who I am, while also reflecting themselves. I hope this artwork makes you consider your own identity.
Material: Found objects and acrylic paint
Highly Commended
Highly Commended Artworks











