Consolidated Properties Group will display the artworks created by the finalists of the Mervyn Moriarty Landscape Award, a category of the Queensland Regional Art Awards (QRAA) from March 13.

The awards continue the legacy of their namesake, a legendary art teacher who took the arts to the bush flying solo in his light aircraft.

From the time he made his first flight in 1971 – a 6000 kilometre round journey from Archerfield aerodrome to drum up support for his Flying Arts, to when he handed over the controls in 1983 – Merv Moriarty had made 1250 trips and flown more than 400,000 kilometres, flying to an average of 26 centres four times a year.

Moriarty died in 2021 at 84, exactly 50 years since he took his first flight after paying for flying lessons with money he had won from an art prize.

Flying Arts Alliance chair and former Queensland supreme court judge Anthe Philippedes, said the early years of Moriarty’s tutelage was the “catalyst for social regeneration for hundreds of artists living on rural properties and regional towns throughout Queensland”.

“He was an extraordinary art teacher and artist with a passion to bring the arts to rural, regional and remote places. He learnt to fly to be able to achieve this passion,” Philippides said.

“He left an immeasurable legacy throughout regional and remote Queensland, where a generation of artists, educators and communities gained exposure to contemporary visual arts practice, many for the first time.”

Philippides said it was fitting that the Queensland Regional Art Awards (QRAA) was Flying Arts Alliance’s signature annual art awards for established and emerging artists living in regional, rural and remote Queensland. The award aims to showcase new artworks while providing a platform for artists to receive both cash prizes and further professional development and opportunities.

She said that while the organisation had grown, it had remained true to Moriarty’s vision: to support rural, regional and remote arts communities to inspire creativity, foster artistic excellence, strengthen wellbeing, promote social connection and resilience, enrich lives and launch art careers.

Mervyn Moriarty in later years, with partner Prue Acton.

Flying Arts Alliance executive officer Paul Thompson said technology meant artists had the ability to connect over video and social media, but nothing would replace the effectiveness of face to face contact.

“It’s a very unique service. There are other services like this around the world, but for its time in 1971 it was revolutionary and quite possibly the first of its kind,” Thompson said.

“It’s inspiring that what Merv started continues to this day and lives on in the artwork that is being produced in regional Queensland and available to be seen by the wider public.”

(The Mervyn Moriarty Landscape Award finalists’ artwork will be displayed at Consolidated Properties Group, Level 8, 175 Eagle St, Brisbane from March 13 Monday to Friday between 9am-5pm, although best viewing times are advised between 12-1pm. For more information contact [email protected]).