We’re honoured and delighted to announce the expert judging panel for The Lester Prize Youth Awards 2025.
This year’s panel will bring their unique experience to the competition. They will select the winners for the 2025 Youth Awards which will be exhibited at the Old Gaol Building in the Western Australian Museum Boola Bardip from 2 May – 20 July 2025.
Melissa Clements is a 26-year-old British-born fine artist, working in Fremantle. She utilises classical painting to explore the dualities of existence, as avenues to make sense of being alive in the contemporary world. Melissa has received classical training from The New York Academy of Art and the National Art School and has been a finalist in The Archibald, Lester and Darling Prizes. She has been commissioned to create official portraits for key figures including the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Western Australia, The Honourable Peter Quinlan and The Honourable Robert French, AC for The University of Western Australia.
Melissa’s work is held in public and private collections across Australia. In 2023, Melissa was the Studio 7 Resident at PS Art Space, during which she travelled to the remote extremes of the High Arctic, returned to her hometown in rural England and connected with the local community in Fremantle; all in search of stories and experiences that drive the human spirit.
Yabini Kickett is an artist with ties to Ballardong and Wadjuk people of the Bibulmun Nation with her work focusing on illustration, endemic plant and fungal species to the South West, and stories from her kin. Yabini was a 2017 participant in the Wesfarmers National Indigenous Arts Leadership program in Canberra, and has since been acquired by the West Australian Art Gallery.
Yabini has gone on to explore curating through her project Dejnnung! Yeyi Yorga Koorliny at the Campbelltown Arts Centre in NSW and taken the position of Creative Producer within the Perth Festival, working across the Boorloo Contemporary Commission at the East Perth Power Station.
Helen Simondson is a cultural producer focused on art, technology, and innovation. Currently the Manager of the WA Museum Boola Bardip, she has worked at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image as Head of Public and Education programs and a co-designer of ACMI Xcel, Australia’s first museum led coworking space and business accelerator.
Helen specialises in engaging diverse audiences through technology and participatory culture. Helen is skilled in leading multi-disciplinary teams, strategic direction and in delivering innovative programs that generate meaningful cultural impact.
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