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Introducing the
John D. Bowe Art Prize
Behind the John D. Bowe Art Prize is a story of love, loss, and a family's enduring connection to Queensland.
The Prize was established by Anne Carne in partnership with the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) Queensland Section in memory of her artist son, John D. Bowe - a passionate painter, deeply loved and forever missed, whose love of art left a lasting impression on all who knew him.
Through art, the Prize seeks to honour both the memory of John D. Bowe and the character, resilience, and connection that define Queensland and its people.
The $50,000 Prize will be awarded to the artwork that most powerfully expresses the character, resilience, and connection of Queensland, its spirit and its people.
Through this Prize, Queensland artists of all levels, skills and backgrounds are invited to reflect on what it means to live and belong in this state, and to contribute to a broader sense of connection, understanding, and community through their own unique creative expression - sharing their work, telling their stories, and contributing to a cause that helps deliver essential services to those who need them most.
About John and Anne
At its heart, this Prize exists to honour John's memory with love, dignity, and generosity - while creating space for artists to explore the experiences that shape us.
The Prize was established by John's mother, Anne Carne, as a lasting legacy for her son, and continues a deeply personal connection between Anne's family and the Flying Doctor.
Following the earlier loss of her first son, Roderick J. Bowe, the family's enduring support of the Flying Doctor was honoured with an aircraft named in tribute to them - the Roderick J. Bowe, John D. Bowe and Anne J. Carne - which continues to serve communities across regional Queensland today.
The John D. Bowe Art Prize is a natural extension of that long-standing relationship: a way of bringing both of Anne's sons into something that continues to give back to those who live, work and play across every corner of Queensland - the place Anne and her sons called home.
About RFDS (Queensland Section)
The RFDS in Queensland provides more than 200 occasions of care every day - improving health access and outcomes for regional, rural and remote communities across the state. Its emergency retrieval service operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and has expanded to include a broad range of essential primary and preventative healthcare services, including telehealth, mental health, oral health, and health promotion.
John D. Bowe’s Original Artwork
By John D. Bowe
By John D. Bowe
By John D. Bowe
By John D. Bowe
By John D. Bowe
By John D. Bowe
By John D. Bowe
By John D. Bowe