The unveiling begins – and what a year it has been for the Catherine K. Gyllerstrom Emerging Artist Award category! Open to all mediums, we saw an amazing and diverse selection of entries.
Our Jury Panel – including esteemed Arts Champions Catherine K. Gyllerstrom of BearWolf Books and Vicki Fox of Quirky Fox Gallery – have been going through the entries and making the incredibly difficult decisions. Once again, the overall quality of entries was exceptional; we are deeply honoured by our community’s interest in the Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize. Now in its 8th year, our annual non-acquisitive international art prize, focusing on Contemporary Art, celebrates diversity and excellence in all static mediums of the representational visual arts – including Traditional, Digital and Photographic media, with wide-ranging techniques, styles and genres from realism to hyperrealism and surrealism.
We have received sculptures in multiple mediums including resin, clay, glaze, porcelain, polymer clay, glass, wire, foam, epoxy putty, latex, thread, fabrics, wool, mohair, lace, yarn, reclaimed objects, beads, buttons, shells, silicone, iron, aluminum, bronze, steel, copper, brass, silver, leather, fiber glass, pearls, cardboard, paper, sugar, plaster, marble, onyx, quartz, crystals, garnet, pyrite, vesuvianite, coal, snake sheds, bone, goldleaf, 3D printed molds and much more! The innovation and imagination of the artists who have entered has amazed us. Every year we are introduced to new ideas and levels of experimentation.
We have enjoyed painting artworks made with oils, acrylic, watercolour, inks, gold and silver leaf, mineral pigments, gouache, spray paints, airbrushed acrylic, mica powder, tempera and mixed media.
Drawing artworks included the use of: graphite, pencil, pen, ink, charcoal, alcohol ink, pastels, markers, crayons and Scratchboard.
Digital artworks included the use of: Escape Motions Rebelle Pro, ArtRage, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Fresco, Compound Light Microscope, Corel Painter, Autodesk, Canon Camera, Affinity Photo, Redshift, Cinema 4D, Daz3D, Blender, Krita, Marvelous designer, After Effect, Substance Painter, Arnold, Clip Studio Paint, Infinite Painter, Medibang Paint, CaptureOne, Procreate, Ibis Paint, iMac, Lightroom, Apple Pencil, GoPro Hero 3, Wacom One, Wacom Cintiq, Nikon Camera, SAI, Scanner, Neewer SK300 Strobe Flash, Photomosh, Intros Pro, XPPen, Zbrush, Mac Studio, Prisma, SNote, iPad, iPad Pro, Macbook Air, MacBook Pro, Notebook MacBook, Sketchpad, Sketchbook, Huion Kamvas Tablet, Surface Pro 6, Wacom Intuos Pro, Samsung Tablet, and Lenovo Ideapad.
Additionally, Photography entries included the use of apparatus and software by: Adobe Lightroom, Beautydishes, Broncolor, Canon, Elinchrom, Fujifilm, Fujinon, Godox, Hasselblad, Ikelite, Intrepid, iPro Max, Kamlan, Kentmere, Kiev 60, Kodak, Laowa, Leica, Lencarta, Lensbaby, Light, Logiciels Lightroom, Lomography, Lumecube, Mamiya, Mitakon Zhongyi Speedmaster, Nanlite Pavotube, Nikkor, Nikon, Octaboxes, Olympus, Panasonic, Pentax, PhaseOne, Polaroid, Polaroid Lab, Profoto, R.A. Goldmann, Ricoh GR III, Samyang, Sekor, Sigma, Schneider Kreuznach, Softbox, Sony, Tamron, Volna-3, Westcott, wetplates, Wista, Yashica LM, and ZEISS lenses.
The Prizes
Catherine K. Gyllerstrom Emerging Artist Award
The Catherine K. Gyllerstrom Emerging Artist Award 1st prize winner will receive:
- $3,000 USD cash, generously donated by Catherine K. Gyllerstrom, Collector, Art Consultant, Owner & Art Director of BearWolf Books, an independent publishing house that specializes in Illustrated Fantasy, Mythology, and Stories for Young Readers.
- A fully sponsored retreat experience with Art Escape Italy. This prize provides artists with the opportunity to immerse themselves in a creative workshop, led by a renowned contemporary artist. The prize includes 6 nights of accommodation, all meals & beverages (including wine), 5 days of tuition, as well as open studio access, transfers to a from the retreat, use of easels & solvents, plus evening events. Please note that travel expenses and art supplies are not included. The winner of this prize can choose between any of Art Escape Italy’s 2026 Autumn retreats, all set at a secluded villa in the Italian countryside, designed to inspire and enhance your artistic practice.
- Deco Pro (Gen2) MW generously donated by XPPen. Founded in 2005, XPPen is a leading global brand in digital art innovation under Hanvon UGEE. XPPen focuses on the needs of consumers by integrating digital art products, content, and services, specifically targeting Gen-Z digital artists. XPPen currently operates in 163 countries and regions worldwide, boasting a fan base of over 1.5 million and serving more than ten million digital art creators.
- A beautiful, specially commissioned glass art award trophy.
- The opportunity to exhibit in the prestigious Beautiful Bizarre Magazine exhibition at Haven Gallery in Northport, NY, USA, alongside 70+ of the world’s best contemporary representational artists.
- Exposure to a successful commercial gallery’s collector base with the opportunity to sell their work.
- 12 month social media advertising package (Beautiful Bizarre Magazine: 2 million+ followers across all social media platforms).
- Winning artwork printed in the December 2025 issue of Beautiful Bizarre Magazine, as part of the Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize editorial.
- Exclusive in-depth interview published on the Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize and Beautiful Bizarre Magazine websites + shared on social media.
- Profile listing [including artwork gallery] on the Beautiful Bizarre Artist Directory for 12 months. The go-to platform for artists, curators and collectors to discover exceptional artists and explore their work.A year’s worth of inspiration – a print subscription to Beautiful Bizarre Magazine.
2nd prize winner will receive:
- $1,000 USD cash, generously donated by Nanny Goat Gallery, a gallery celebrating new and contemporary representational art predominantly in the pop surreal, narrative, and fantasy genres.
- 6 month social media advertising package (Beautiful Bizarre Magazine: 1 million+ followers across all social media platforms).
- Profile listing [including artwork gallery] on the Beautiful Bizarre Artist Directory for 12 months. The go-to platform for artists, curators and collectors to discover exceptional artists and explore their work.A year’s worth of inspiration – a print subscription to Beautiful Bizarre Magazine.
3rd prize winner will receive:
- $500 USD cash, generously donated by Nanny Goat Gallery, a gallery celebrating new and contemporary representational art predominantly in the pop surreal, narrative, and fantasy genres.
- 4 month social media advertising package (Beautiful Bizarre Magazine: 1 million+ followers across all social media platforms).
- Profile listing [including artwork gallery] on the Beautiful Bizarre Artist Directory for 12 months. The go-to platform for artists, curators and collectors to discover exceptional artists and explore their work.A year’s worth of inspiration – a print subscription to Beautiful Bizarre Magazine.
The Winners in each Award category and the Grand Prize Award Winner will be invited to participate in ‘Reverie’ exhibition at Haven Gallery in New York, United States later this year, alongside 70+ of the world’s best contemporary representational artists! ‘Reverie’ is an international group exhibition Curated by: Beautiful Bizarre Magazine.
‘Reverie’ explores themes of a state of being pleasantly lost in one’s thoughts; a daydream
From the 175 Finalists across all Award categories the Jury Panel will select the Grand Prize Award Winner.
The Grand Prize Award Winner of the 2025 Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize will receive:
- $10,000 USD cash, donated by our Platinum sponsors Catherine K. Gyllerstrom, MPB, RAYMAR, Yasha Young Projects, Victoria Olt Gallery, and Prof. Dr. Ulrich Seibert.
- A beautiful, specially commissioned glass art award trophy.
- The opportunity to exhibit in the prestigious Beautiful Bizarre Magazine exhibition at Haven Gallery in Northport, NY, USA, alongside 70+ of the world’s best contemporary representational artists.
- Exposure to a successful commercial gallery’s collector base with the opportunity to sell their work.
- 10 page in-depth interview editorial published in Beautiful Bizarre Magazine December 2025 issue.
- Winning artwork printed in the December 2025 issue of Beautiful Bizarre Magazine, as part of the Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize editorial.
- Exclusive in-depth interview published on the Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize and Beautiful Bizarre Magazine websites + shared across Beautiful Bizarre Magazine social media.
- Profile listing [including artwork gallery] on the Beautiful Bizarre Artist Directory for 12 months. The go-to platform for artists, curators and collectors to discover exceptional artists and explore their work.
- 12 month social media advertising package (Beautiful Bizarre Magazine: 2 million+ followers across all social media platforms).
- A year’s worth of inspiration – a print subscription to Beautiful Bizarre Magazine.
People’s Choice Award
The People’s Choice Award Winner will be selected by popular vote from the 175 Finalists. The People’s Choice Award Winner will receive $1,000 USD cash, generously donated by Co-Founders of Beautiful Bizarre Magazine; and Deco Pro (Gen2) MW generously donated by XPPen.
Voting will open on 22 August [AEDT, Australian Eastern Daylight Time]. To ensure you don’t miss your chance to vote, please join our email mailing list here.
Additionally, the People’s Choice Award Winner will enjoy a year’s worth of social media advertising through the Beautiful Bizarre Magazine to ensure they are able to connect with the right audience, raise their profile, and of course to grow their social media following. They will also enjoy a Profile listing [including artwork gallery] on the Beautiful Bizarre Artist Directory for 12 months, plus a 12 month Beautiful Bizarre Magazine print subscription, and an in-depth interview published on the Beautiful Bizarre Magazine and Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize websites, giving readers an insight into their vision and practice!
In addition, each sponsor will choose one outstanding work from their award category to receive an Honourable Mention. Stay tuned to learn more!
The Yasha Young Projects Sculpture Award, MPB Photography Award, Digital Art Award, Victoria Olt Gallery and the RAYMAR Painting Award Finalists will be announced later this week.
So without further ado we are proud to announce the Catherine K. Gyllerstrom Emerging Artist Award Finalists of the 2025 Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize…
Catherine K. Gyllerstrom Emerging Artist Award Finalists
2025 Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize
“He grew what couldn’t be spoken” (spray paint, oil pastels, gold leaf & oil on wood panel)
I create from the space where vulnerability and resilience coexist. In the work ‘He grew what couldn’t be spoken’, I explore the heart not just as a biological organ, but as a fertile vessel — a place where pain, memory, identity, and beauty all take root. The flowers sprouting from it are not ornamental, but evidence of emotional labor: growth through struggle. Centering the male body in stillness and tenderness, I aim to challenge narrow archetypes and offer new mythologies — ones that embrace sensitivity, introspection, and sacred inner worlds. Through realism fused with surreal symbolism, I invite the viewer into a space of emotional witnessing — a meditation on what it means to hold life inside.
“Me And My Shadow” (Coloured pencils on paper, mounted to a wooden panel, framed with leather)
After a long burnout period I wanted to create something light and dreamy, carelessly flying over the green fluffy hills. I explored the “shadow” topic that is commonly referred to in therapy, and imagined what it would be like, to be totally in harmony with our own shadow self.
“I am still alive” (Digital Painting: Photoshop using Wacom intuos pro)
In a world marked by profound political changes and transformations, our understanding of the past, present, and future has been irrevocably altered. Conflicts between nations, inflation, recession, sanctions, and the pervasive issues of racial and gender discrimination have woven themselves into the fabric of our daily lives, often overshadowing the essence of what it means to truly live. For me, the daily practice of seeking refuge from this unnatural existence is a journey of rediscovering my humanity through the vibrant realms of color, art, and beauty. Art becomes my sanctuary, allowing me to explore and express the complexities of the human experience while fostering a connection to a more authentic sense of self.
“Liturgy” (Oil paint on wood board)
Within a warming world Bodies and minds are comodified Lacking connection to country Devoid of cultural identity Raised secular and absent of religious ideology Taking root with fellow introduced species We turn toward the cosmos In breathless wonder at the open expanse Tides of acceptance wash over us What beauty there is to behold in the universe unfurled We are a part of, not a-part from this world Grounded by the stars, cells, bees, bodies and trees we find harmony This world is our liturgy.
“The Guardian” (Photoshop)
The illustration portrays the Forest Guardian, silently mourning. Mourning what, you may ask? To me, this Guardian has always wept for the fading fairy tales, for the forests where we no longer search for mythical beings, and for the nature we destroy so carelessly. I’ve always longed for worlds that don’t exist — ones filled with magic and a kind of quiet romanticism. The Guardian’s tears are a symbol of that yearning and of the lost magic rooted in nature, which most of us have forgotten.
“Taghvimeh Esteghamat: A Calendar of Resilience” (Mixed media, recycled objects (used teabags), threads, ink, hand stitching, machine sewing)
This life sized, fibre-based work is a teabag calendar comprised of tea personally consumed and a garment fashioned in my size; each teabag marking a day and documenting moments of endurance. As an Australian woman, I draw from a reservoir of personal experience narrating gender-based violence, entwined with my Persian heritage and commenting on the daily meditative rituals. Each tea stain a mark of trauma and an act of resilience in the face of adversities. The delicate form of the dress speaks to femininity, the Persian numerals a reflection of the cultural and the societal expectations on women to make sacrifices in toxic relationships, the repetition, a sign of endurance and the stitches a visual diary of strength and personal empowerment. This piece invites reflection on how women.
“Grounded” (oil and cold wax on stained canvas)
As a child, I used to find comfort in the sun-warmed soil of my mother’s tomato plant garden. The towering behemoths of heirloom tomatoes would become my canopy of safety. I would sit amongst them, smelling their distinct and indescribable earthiness, the way the evening sunlight dappled through them, was pure bliss and magic to me. It is in that stillness that I found the most peace. It was in that stillness that I was simply allowed to be me, existing among the tomato plants, the soil, and the rocks, on a humid Virginia summer evening.
“The Inheritance of Silence” (Graphite on paper)
This piece reflects the quiet ache of womanhood through a figure suspended in thought, trapped in the liminal space between despair and resignation. With her mouth hidden, she gives form to the silences woven into lullabies, family dinners, school corridors, and workplaces—the silences carried by generations upon generations of women.
“Le Baiser” (Oil on linen canvas)
What happens when two hearts draw close — not just physically, but emotionally, spiritually? This painting is not a depiction of a kiss, but an attempt to capture the raw and fragile space where connection happens. That threshold between two beings — where longing, vulnerability, and trust converge in silence. In “Le Baiser”, I wanted to portray the intensity of intimacy: that moment suspended between merging and separation. A visual echo of how touch, however brief, can leave an imprint far beyond the skin.
“Little Diamond” (Acrylic on a aluminum composite panel with solid wood frame (self-made))
With its beak gently nestled in its feathers, the bird appears quietly withdrawn, almost as if hiding from view. Surrounded by deep violet hues, it seems lost in itself, suspended in a moment where time stands still. In this piece, I wanted to capture that sense of calm introspection and quiet presence. Together with the amethyst, the bird becomes a symbol of inner peace, protection, and the quiet strength it takes to stay true to ourselves as we move through life’s changes.
“Heart Transformation” (Acrylic on canvas)
“Heart Transformation” is about the profound choices we face as human beings: creation or decay, light or shadow, good or evil. The figure turns her back on barren land and faces blooming beauty. Her flaming brush, her heart ablaze, speak of a spirit ignited. I believe we were designed to create, invent, transform, shape beauty from life’s raw materials, inspired by all around us. This piece reminds me that when purpose lights the heart, creation flows, echoing life’s sacred rhythm. It is a personal act of gratitude for that inner fire, the creative force, and the privilege of living.
“Inflorescence” (Oil on canvas)
Inflorescence is a lush, symbolic portrait exploring archetype, femininity, and wildness. Over the centuries, our species has been trading the use of our bodies, brains and instincts for ease and convenience. Skills our ancestors once took for granted are now lost to us. We are now at a crossroads, on the precipice of outsourcing the last remnants of our humanity to artificial intelligence. Inflorescence imagines a different path- the subject living within nature, within her mind and her body. It is an invitation to reconnect with ourselves, with our humanity, and with the world we evolved to be part of.
“Bodhi” (Oil on Panel)
Bodhi is part of a series celebrating DIY dress-up characters—an ode to the beauty of our strangeness and the quiet rebellion of being unapologetically different. This body of work invites viewers to reflect on their own biases and assumptions about physical appearance by evoking emotional responses that spark deeper conversations. In Bodhi, the subject teeters on the edge of self-awareness, caught in the vulnerable moment of realising their own oddity. Their gaze challenges the viewer: What are you looking at?—a mix of defiance and uncertainty mirrored in their posture. The deflated smiley face nearby symbolises the fading of childhood—the bittersweet loss of innocence, play, and unfiltered joy in this moment.
“The Artist Ramsha Khan” (Oil and gold leaf on panel)
Painted from life on a traditional gold ground, this portrait of Indian artist Ramsha Khan aims to blend the textures of richly patterned textiles and of genuine gold, reflecting in the very materials and their application the junction of two creative worlds.
“Zarafa” (Acrylics and pastels on MDF board)
I believe that everything existing in this world is characterized by four elements: the righteous, the nurturing, the abundant and the mysterious. Together, they form identities, each with its varying proportions. I choose peace and splendor for these elements, in order to form a beautiful personality.
“A Sip of Ecstasy” (Oil on linen)
The wine of Dionysus is no mere spirit to imbibe blithely. These darkly luminous mysteries induce an altered state beyond drunkenness: gnostic ecstasy. It imparts the certainty of our interconnectedness, bodies and souls, with all living things and our original starry nature. It awakens the savage wildness and delicate beauty coursing through our blood. It cools the temperament like verdant ivy. Imbibing the sacred draught prepares us for things to come, as the maenad shows us with the Gold Tablet pendant close to her heart.
“Lady Whistledown” (Oil Paint on Wood Panel)
Inspired by the Netflix series Bridgerton, this piece pays homage to the enigmatic Lady Whistledown—an anonymous observer whose sharp wit and written revelations shape the high-stakes world of the social season. Drawing from the show’s rich color palette and the elegant promenades that serve as both stage and symbol for societal performance, the artwork explores the duality of visibility and voice. It casts a spotlight on the historical suppression of women, the roles imposed upon them, and the societal constraints they’ve faced. Yet, it also stands as a tribute to the resilience and achievements of powerful women who have risen above those limitations.
“The Fish and the Caretaker” (Oil on canvas)
In this work, I depict the Caretaker—guardian of life’s balance—cradling the great fish from the pond of creation. Inspired by myth, the piece explores themes of stewardship, desire, and disruption. The glowing red eggs, taken by a bower bird enchanted by their beauty, symbolize the fragile balance between wonder and harm. As the Caretaker restores what was lost, a new harmony emerges. This painting reflects on the tension between human longing and ecological responsibility, asking: what happens when beauty is consumed rather than nurtured?
“Chrysallis” (Wacom cintiq 16, Krita)
Chrysallis is a digital painting depicting a Fairy breaking out of her cocoon and unraveling her wings still wet by her now-empty shell. On top of her, a bee is feasting on a Honeysuckle flower and the spring dew has spread on the spider webs around them. The moon can be seen in the far distant right. The painting explores themes of birth/rebirth and self becoming in the light of the magical nature around us. It is also an ode to Shakespeare’s Titania in a A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
“The Promise of Spring” (watercolor on paper mounted on wood panel)
This painting carries the promise of Spring: everything can begin again. That even after the longest winter, life returns. We go through many iterations of endings and new beginnings in our lives, some soft and quiet, others earth-shattering and life-changing. Still some endings feel like they’ll never truly end. The kind that drag on, heavy and dark, like a long and bitter winter. This painting is a reminder that spring always comes even after the coldest and harshest winter. That even the longest night gives way to morning light, and the silence of winter gives way to the songs of blossoms.
“Yuna” (Oil on linen)
Yuna is an oil on linen that I began earlier this year, starting with the face in an alla prima session. My initial intention was to capture the model’s attitude and expression without overworking it. The canvas then matured in a corner of the studio for a few weeks, enough time to forget it, until I returned to it at the right moment, choosing to keep only what mattered. “Yuna” speaks of everything I love in painting: discipline, vision, the hope held in a new project, letting go, serendipity, the happy accident, and the sense that nothing needs to be added—unlike dead works, wearied by precision, overworked, yet still unfinished.
“The Shape of Me is Use” (Watercolor and Gouache with Graphite on Watercolor Paper [sealed in wax])
This painting is a personal excavation of what it means to be shaped not by self-hood, but by service—specifically, a kind of self-sacrificial service inherited through maternal lineage. It explores the psychic cost of being taught that one’s worth lies in how much of oneself can be given away, that I am only real when I am useful to someone else.
“Shivalinga Mudra” (Crayon de couleur sur papier canson blanc 200g)
Shivalinga Mudra surnommée la force créatrice, représente l’équilibre entre le masculin et le féminin. ENGLISH: Shivalinga Mudra nicknamed the creative force, represents the balance between masculine and feminine.
“Future Prospects” (Acrylic and gouache on Fabriano paper mounted on wood panel)
The artwork deals with how a pessimistic outlook on the future can shape the way one is seen by others. How the darkness obscures the vision and lies heavy in the stomach, like stones, or skulls if you will. While painting a very bleak picture, it should hopefully be seen as only one side of a medallion, that shines very bright on the opposite side.
“Get Freaky with the Frogs” (Watercolor and Gouache on Baohong paper)
Get Freaky with the Frogs. These toadstools sit in a circle, enjoying sake. Legend has it that if you place a drink in the center of a fairy ring, the drink will become piping hot. This is why these merry men are enjoying their alcoholic beverage in a circle. You couldn’t pick a better party to get drunk with.