Feature artist, Steve Cooke

Discover the beauty of Far North Queensland through the lens of Steve Cooke, Crystalbrook Bailey's feature artist for June and July 2026.

Steve's exhibition, Life is Once - Forever, will be on display in the Crystalbrook Bailey lobby from 1 June until 31 July 2026. Featuring a collection of fine art landscape photography, the exhibition showcases local scenes and locations that hold special meaning for Steve, captured through his unique perspective and deep connection to nature.

Meet the artist

Steve Cooke has been photographing landscapes, wildlife, and nature since 2015, developing a body of work inspired by the beauty of Far North Queensland and beyond. An accredited professional landscape photographer, Steve is passionate about capturing the moments, places, and details that often go unnoticed, encouraging viewers to see the world through a different lens.

Alongside his photography practice, Steve leads photography tours throughout Far North Queensland and New Zealand, helping others develop their skills and appreciation for the natural world. Earlier this year, he released his first coffee table book, In The Beginning, a collection celebrating eleven years of photography featuring landscapes, wildlife, flowers, and people from Australia and around the world.

Life is Once - Forever

The exhibition title comes from a quote featured in Steve's book: "Life is once - Forever"

For Steve, photography has been more than a creative pursuit. Following experiences of personal loss and tragedy, as well as a PTSD diagnosis in 2021, spending time in nature and capturing its beauty became a source of healing, perspective, and inspiration.

This collection invites visitors to pause, appreciate the natural world, and see familiar Far North Queensland landscapes through fresh eyes. Featuring both iconic and lesser-known locations, each image celebrates the beauty, comfort, and perspective that nature can provide.

We invite you to join us for the exhibition opening and artist meet-and-greet on Friday, 5 June 2026, from 6:00pm. It's free to attend, with drinks available for purchase at CC's Bar & Grill.

Key dates

1 June 2026: Exhibition opens

5 June 2026: Exhibition opening night and meet-and-greet with Steve, from 6:00pm

31 July 2026: Exhibition closes

Where: Crystalbrook Bailey lobby, 163 Abbott Street, Cairns

All artworks on display will be available for purchase here.