Six young artists awarded the 25th annual Brett Whiteley Travelling Art Scholarship

Five additional Brett Whiteley Travelling Art Scholarship recipients were today also awarded $10,000 and a two-week residency at Shark Island Kangaroo Valley, NSW. In 2023, the five recipients of Shark Island residencies are Angus White (VIC), Joseph Christie Evans (NSW), Lauren O’Connor (NSW), Oliver Scherer (NSW) and Sis Cowie (VIC).

Guest judge and Archibald Prize winning artist Guido Maestri selected 12 finalists and six scholarship recipients from 181 entries.

‘It was a privilege to judge this year’s Brett Whiteley Traveling Art Scholarship. The high calibre of entries was inspiring and a testament to the talent within our young artistic community. The quality and creativity exhibited by all the applicants left me with no doubt that the future of art in Australia is in good hands,’ said Maestri.

‘I chose Mark Maurangi Carrol’s work for the main prize this year. I found his work to be captivating and unique both in its physicality and conception. Here is a young artist exploring his identity, culture and history in a most thoughtful, delicate and mature way. I look forward to witnessing the continued growth and success of all these remarkable young artists.’

Art Gallery of New South Wales director Michael Brand said the scholarship exemplifies the Art Gallery’s longstanding goal of nurturing emerging artists.

‘It has been wonderful to see the expansion of the Brett Whiteley Travelling Art Scholarship in recent years, thanks to our ongoing partnerships with Cité Internationale des Arts and the Shark Island Institute,’ said Brand.

‘Now in its 25th year, we are reflecting on the great legacy of the scholarship and the Whiteley family. The provision of experiences and resources for young artists is essential in ensuring that the world gets to meet the next generation of formidable artistic talent. This year’s recipients join an impressive cohort of artists who have gone on to establish significant and successful full-time artistic careers.’

Established in 1999 by the late Beryl Whiteley, the Brett Whiteley Travelling Art Scholarship commemorates the profound effect international travel and study had on her son, artist Brett Whiteley, who won the Italian Government Travelling Art Scholarship at the age of 20.

The Art Gallery of New South Wales first introduced the Shark Island residencies in 2020, in response to pandemic-related travel restrictions. In 2023, the scholarship continues to offer both the domestic and international travel opportunities to enable the support of a greater number of emerging artists.

Brett Whiteley Travelling Art Scholarship 2023 recipient artworks are currently on display in an exhibition at the Brett Whiteley studio, along with works by six other finalists: Holly Greenwood (NSW), India Mark (NSW), Madeleine Pfull (NSW), Nick Santoro (NSW), Mac Mansfield (NSW) and Visaya Hoffie (NSW), until Sunday 26 November 2023.

For more information and to explore all the scholarship recipients and finalists, visit the Art Gallery website.