Coffs Harbour artist Phil Greed has been awarded the Coffs Coast Artist Award (on 6 September) as part of the STILL: National Still Life Award 2025, hosted by Yarrila Arts and Museum (YAM). His winning work, calx_what goes around (2025), was recognised for its poetic exploration of memory, loss, and material transformation.
Greed’s piece draws on the quiet intimacy of still life, using ceramics to investigate the properties of calcium and calcium carbonate- substances that connect the biological and geological. The work reflects on themes of aging, personal history, and the fragility of memory. Each ceramic object becomes a contemplative vessel, holding space for his mother and the slow passing of time.
This is the first year YAM has presented the Coffs Coast Artist Award, designed to celebrate an outstanding entry by a local artist within the nationally recognised STILL exhibition. The main $30,000 acquisitive prize was awarded to Justin Enrico Legaspi.
Held biennially, STILL is one of Australia’s leading art awards dedicated to the still life genre, showcasing works across painting, photography, sculpture, ceramics, and mixed media. Past winners include Blak Douglas (2021) and Alana Hunt (2023).
The exhibition is open until 9 November 2025 at YAM, offering visitors a chance to experience powerful contemporary still life from across the country- and to celebrate the local talent shaping the Coffs Coast arts scene.
See more at YAM website: yarrilaartsandmuseum.com.au.
Image credit: Phil Greed, calx_what goes around (2025) (detail), wheel thrown porcelain, satin white glazes, gold lustre, calcinated calcite, coral.