Young Mackay Artist Claims State Award For Second Year

Mackay artist Logan Ivory has claimed first place in the QATSIF Creative Arts Competition for the second consecutive year. Photos supplied

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Mackay teenager Logan Ivory has taken out first place in the QATSIF Creative Arts Competition for the second consecutive year. The Year 8 Catherine McAuley Catholic College (CMC) student was the only Mackay student to place in this year’s competition, which attracted 259 entries. Logan entered his artwork through CMC, with the school later presenting him with his award.

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The annual competition, now in its ninth year, is hosted by QATSIF, with Griffith University sponsoring the 2026 event. Entries were judged on overall artistry, the artist’s description and each artwork’s connection to the 2026 Reconciliation Week or NAIDOC themes.

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For Logan, the award follows years of developing his artistic craft and a style distinctly his own.

His art teacher, Kylie Ferriday, said Logan had remained committed to creating work that reflected his own perspective rather than conforming to popular or commercial trends.

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“What has always made Logan remarkable as an artist is his unwavering commitment to authenticity. He has never felt the need to conform to what is popular, fashionable or commercially pleasing. Instead, he has developed a visual language that is unmistakably his own — using imagery to communicate thoughts, emotions and experiences that words alone cannot always capture,” Kylie said.

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“As an autistic Indigenous teenager navigating today’s world, Logan brings a perspective to his work that is deeply personal. Art has become a powerful way for him to explore, process and communicate his experiences — and in doing so, his work has the potential to reach far beyond himself.”

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The inspiration for his latest artwork began with a poem written by Logan titled I AM, which reflects on his thoughts, emotions, relationships and perspectives on life and death.

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“I am Tall and smart,
I wonder if space is infinite.
I hear my thoughts.
I see my imagination.
I want peace.”

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The poem goes on to explore Logan’s thoughts about his family, his own experiences, death, the future and his hope of starting again.

Logan says he was “completely blown away and in disbelief” after learning he had won the state award for a second consecutive year, and added that he was “humbled and extremely grateful for the opportunities QATSIF and Griffith University have created for young Indigenous artists.”

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His mother, Corissa Ivory, said the family was “very proud” of Logan’s achievement.

“I’m excited to announce that Logan has won 1st place once again 2nd year in a row for the QATSIF Art competition.”

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“We are all very proud of him,” she said.

QATSIF said artworks from the competition would be showcased through its statewide graduation ceremonies, QATSIF Board Room wall, 2026 Annual Report and other media outlets.

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For Kylie Ferriday, Logan’s second consecutive state win represents years of dedication, courage and experimentation, as well as his commitment to developing his own artistic voice.

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“As his art teacher and someone who has watched his artistic voice develop over many years, I could not be prouder,” she said.