Sydney’s Liam Garstang awarded the Macquarie Group Emerging Artist Prize

Sydney-based visual artist Liam Garstang has been awarded the 2017 Macquarie Group Emerging Artist Prize for his work The twin hanging trees. The prize was announced last night in Sydney.

Now in its sixth year, the Macquarie Group Emerging Artist Prize supports and recognises a new generation of Australian visual artists. Artists in the early stage of their careers were invited to enter an original work – or works – that reflect the theme The Land and its Psyche.

With financial and acquisitive components to the award, Liam will receive $15,000 and his work will be acquired by the Macquarie Group Collection. The Macquarie Group Collection has a 30-year heritage of supporting emerging Australian artists.

Also announced last night was the recipient of the Nick Waterlow OAM Highly Commended Award. The award was given to Alice Couttoupes for her three works My blue china, my blue flowers, Untitled #12, #13 and #14. Mechelle Bounpraseuth was awarded the Highly Commended Award by Guest Judge Nici Cumpston for her work Late Night Maccas Run with Bae.

Nici Cumpston said: "The quality and diversity of the finalists’ works underscores the depth of talent to be found among the next generation of Australian visual artists."

"From a strong field, Liam’s work was selected as the recipient of the Macquarie Group Emerging Artist Prize as it thoroughly embraced the theme of the Macquarie Group collection, The Land and its Psyche, throughout his series of large scale intaglio prints of stark naked trees."

Global Head of the Macquarie Group Foundation, Lisa George, said: "Congratulations to Liam, Alice and Mechelle, and to all the finalists for creating such moving and thought-provoking pieces. There is still one more prize to award: The People’s Choice Award. We welcome all visitors to the exhibition to vote for their favourite work."

Members of the public are invited to see The twin hanging trees, along with other works by the finalists for this year’s prize, at space at 9-19 Elizabeth Street Sydney. The exhibition is open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays until October 19. The People’s Choice Award will be announced on 20 October.

All entries, other than the winning art work, are available for sale.