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

This year 133 finalist artworks were selected for exhibition by a panel who aimed to include a variety of styles, content and techniques. The finalists include 11 interstate works, demonstrating that the Gosford Art Prize continues to attract attention from across the country. Pleasingly almost one third of the finalists are from the Central Coast, showing the strength of artistic talent in our region.

The $15,000 First Prize was awarded to Central Coast artist Claire Tozer for her artwork titled Web, acrylic and ink on canvas, 150cm x 200cm. In her artist statement Tozer explains about her work ‘walking through the wetlands in Davistown, early morning, the mist and sun were making the network of spiderwebs shimmer between the reeds and bushes; the colours of the water was the backdrop.’

Tozer’s use of ink and paint portray a delicate poetry of lines reflecting an interpretation of her surrounding environments. Tozer has been awarded several prizes including being Highly Commended in the Ewart Art Prize, Hornsby Art Prize and in the 2019 Gosford Art Prize. This captivating artwork work will be acquired by Central Coast Council for the Council Collection.

Second Prize was awarded to Central Coast artist Muamer Cajic for his work titled Inselberg, colour pencil on paper, 74cm x 86cm which is a wonderfully skilled drawing exploring the body as a resilient carrier, intimately connected to the mind.

Other prizes winners include:

Aboriginal Artist Prize – $2,500
Charmaine Davis
Washpool calling
Acrylic on canvas
92cm x 92cm 

Highly Commended Art Prize – $1,000
Ali Tahayori
There is no queer in Iran
Mixed media, hand-cut mirrors and plaster on aluminium Di Bond (text-based mirror-work)
90cm x 60cm x 2cm  

Highly Commended Art Prize – $1,000
Karen Coull
The Sunday Tablecloth
Vintage paper collage / acrylic paint
101cm x 101cm x 3cm

Gosford Ceramics Prize – $2,500
David Boyle
Secret Meeting of the Bouddi Scribbly Bark
Horse hair Raku fired ceramic
23cm x 30cm x 30cm

Highly Commended Ceramic Prize – $1,000
Peter Steggall
Forest
Ceramic clay and glaze. Kintsugi resin.
66cm x 22cm

The winning works were chosen by judges Emily Rolfe and Vicki Grima, who commented ‘overall, the selected prize-winning works were strong, showing a high degree of skill, consideration and integrity. They are impressive works’.

Gosford Regional Gallery director Tim Braham explains that ‘events such as an annual art prize become a regular touchpoint for the community. They give us insight into the health and vibrancy of the sector and frequently reflect the concerns and collective consciousness of the community.’

A Viewer’s Choice Award of $500 will be announced at the end of the exhibition to the chosen work by visitors of the gallery, votes will be taken throughout the exhibition period.

The 2022 finalist exhibition will run from August 20 – October 23 at Gosford Regional Gallery, 9.30am – 4pm daily, entry is free.

Winning artwork Claire Tozer, Web, acrylic and ink on canvas, 150cm x 200cm. Image courtesy the artist.

Installation view of this year’s Gosford Art Prize finalist exhibition. Image courtesy Gosford Regional Gallery.

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