Gosford Regional Gallery is pleased to announce the winner of this year’s EMERGING art prize, with $5,00 in prize money awarded to Monica Rani Rudhar from Sydney.

This year, six finalists were selected from 42 applications by artists aged 18 – 30 from across NSW. A section of the Gosford Regional Gallery was given over to each artist to display a body of work. 

The $5,000 prize was Judged by Tahlia Linz, Curator at Artspace Sydney.  In awarding the prize to Monica Rani Rudhar, Ms Linz congratulated the artist on her “resolved presentation and evocative concept” and “looked forward to following her promising career ahead”.

Monica Rani Rudhar’s work explores her connection to her Indian heritage through the presentation of super-sized gold earrings, reflecting her family’s practice as goldsmiths.

The Biennial Emerging Art Prize was established by Gosford Regional Gallery Director, Tim Braham in 2003.

“The exhibition of finalists works provides great exposure for the selected artists who are all on their way to an exciting future in the arts,” Mr Braham said.  

“The diversity of experiences that these young artists explore, and their exciting use of materials makes this an exhibition everyone will appreciate.”

This year’s EMERGING art prize along with the other 2023 finalists Remy Faint, Alexandra Jonscher, Lihnida Krstansoka-Blazeska, NC Qin and James Rhodes will be on exhibition until 26 March at the Gosford Regional Gallery, 9.30am – 4pm daily, entry is free.

Media interviews are available with the winning artist and the gallery director. To arrange an interview please contact Media Team – media@centralcoast.nsw.gov.au