Central Coast Council is pleased to announce the winners of this year’s Gosford Art Prize, with $28,000 in prize pool money awarded to artists from across the Central Coast and beyond.

This year 948 entries were entered from across Australia. Of those entries, 146 artworks were selected as finalists for exhibition, with 40% of the finalists from the Central Coast.

Taking out the major prize with his artwork Egress, was Remy Faint, who along with the prestigious title, also won $15,000.

Central Coast Council Director Community and Recreation Melanie Smith said the Gosford Art Prize is known for making a real difference to an artist’s career.

“The competition offers an exciting range of opportunities for visual artists working in any art form to showcase their work to a large audience and potentially become an acquisition of the Central Coast’s art collection.

“Once again the calibre of artists from around the country was extremely high – however it was fantastic to see that 40% of the finalists come from the Central Coast, showing the strength of the art scene on the Coast.”

Director of the Regional Gallery, Tim Braham said the selection panel aimed to include a variety of styles, content and techniques with fierce competition amongst a range of artwork.

Mr Braham added that events such as an annual art prize provide opportunities for both local and national artists to bring quality contemporary art to the Central Coast.

The winners of the other categories are:

Second Prize $5,000 - Sophie Lampert with artwork Listen, the Trees are Whispering
Aboriginal Artist Prize $2,500 - Ethan-James Kotiau - Nagaya Marda
Gosford Ceramics Prize $2,500 - Juz Kitson with artwork Alteration of incoming sensoria
Highly Commended (three prizes) $1,000 each:
Craig Handley - the show off 2
Tia Madden - Adversaria
Mel Jhey - Thinking About My Ancestors
Viewer’s Choice Award $500 will be announced at the exhibition’s conclusion
Council Administrator Rik Hart said the Regional Gallery has evolved from its humble beginnings in the 70s, with the Gosford Art Prize now recognised as a significant goal for artists to aim for.

“I want to congratulate the major prize winner, Remy Faint, alongside the other division winners, and give my sincere thanks to all the artists who entered from across Australia.”

The ‘Viewer’s Choice Award’, which will be decided by visitors to the Gallery voting on their favourite entry, will be announced at the end of the exhibition period. The winner will receive the honour plus $500 prize money.

The 2023 finalist exhibition will run from 9 September 9 to 5 November 2023 at Gosford Regional Gallery, 9.30am – 4pm daily, entry is free.

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Image caption: 2023 Gosford Art Prize winning artwork – Egress by Remy Faint. Image courtesy Gosford Regional Gallery.

Media Interviews are available with the winning artists and the Gallery Director. To arrange an interview please contact media@centralcoast.nsw.gov.au.