Melbourne artist Aaron Carter named recipient of Macquarie Group Emerging Artist Prize

Macquarie Group today announced Melbourne based Aaron Carter has been named the recipient of the 2016 Macquarie Group Emerging Artist Prize. The Macquarie Group Emerging Artist Prize and Exhibition is held each year to support a new generation of Australian visual artists. All finalists’ works relate to the collections theme, The Land and its Psyche.

2016 guest judge and Archibald winner, Louise Hearman, announced Carter as the recipient of the prize for his work Air Steps. As recipient of the prize, Carter will receive $15,000 and his painting will join the Macquarie Group Collection. Ms Hearman also presented Sydney artist Chris Casali with the Highly Commended award for her graphite watercolour aluminium series.

Now in its fifth year, the Macquarie Group Emerging Artist Prize relies on nominations of emerging Australian artists from collection artists, their representing galleries, graduate art schools and Artist Run Initiatives (ARIs). More than 70 nominations for the prize were received in 2016, from which the art committee of the Macquarie Group Collection selected 12 finalists.  

Carter’s work, along with the other works submitted for consideration for this year’s prize, will be exhibited at 9-19 Elizabeth Street Sydney, adjacent to Macquarie Group’s Sydney headquarters on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays until October 13. Visitors to the exhibition can vote for the People’s Choice Award, which will be announced on 13 October 2016. 

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