yapang Emerging Art Prize finalist exhibition

The yapang Emerging Art Prize is an acquisitive art prize developed to celebrate, promote and support emerging First Nations artists from across the country. Occurring every two years the yapang Emerging Art Prize is judged by a respected artist and curator.

The winner of the yapang Emerging Art Prize 2023 was Virginia Keft, for her work We were here long before the Hills Hoist (2022). Read the media release below.

Media Release

FINALISTS:

• Adam Manning
• Amy Lea Hill
• Anthony Walker
• Bree Riley
• Brett Leavy
• Carmen Jackson
• Cassia Glynn Bray
• Chantelle Kulk
• David Dennison HIGHLY COMMENDED
• Debbie Wood
• Emily Lloyd
• Emma Phillips
• Emma-Jayde Chapman
• Isobel Morphy-Walsh
• Jacqueline Jacky
• Jodie Reynolds
• Jordan Mijo Rogers
• Joshua James
• Judith Franklin
• Kalara Gilbert
• Koan Cashman
• Kristy Cameron
• Mahala Burns
• Maree Bisby
• Natasha Namatjira Carroll
• Peter Faulkner
• Ryan Andrew Lee
• Shaun Allen HIGHLY COMMENDED ACQUISTIVE
• Shellie Smith
• Siarn Staley
• Tiarne Hall
• Toni Morrison
• Virginia Keft WINNER
• Wirra Wakka Collective
• Yasmina Tadic
• Zali Morgan
• Zartisha Davis 

JUDGE BIOGRAPHIES

SEBASTIAN GOLDSPINK

Sebastian Goldspink is a Sydney-based independent curator. In 2011, he created the artist run space, ALASKA projects as a platform for exhibiting contemporary art in unused or disused spaces. Since its inception, ALASKA has showcased over 500 artists across 150 exhibitions. A proud descendant of the Burramattagal people of Western Sydney, Goldspink has curated exhibitions nationally throughout Australia and internationally in London, Los Angeles, New Orleans and Christchurch.

Goldspink has held professional appointments at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Art Month Sydney, National Art School and Dlux Media Arts. He has consulted and collaborated with institutions including Museum of Old and New Art, Performance Space, Sydney Symphony, HOTA Gold Coast, Art Bank and Kaldor Public Art Projects. In 2013/14 he was appointed Guest Curator of the John Fries Memorial Prize, an annual non-acquisitive award recognising emerging and early career visual artists.He writes regularly for publications including Art Collector, Art Monthly and Artist Profile. He is a frequent speaker and interviewer with a wide focus of contemporary practice. He has worked with numerous brands including Louis Vuitton, Dior, Paul Smith and Valentino.

A former Lecturer at the University of New South Wales (CoFA), Goldspink is currently engaged as Senior Manager Art & Placemaking Western Sydney International Airport. He was the curator of the 2022 Adelaide Biennial of Australian Art at the Art Gallery of South Australia. In 2021, he opened the Woollahra Gallery at Redleaf as its inaugural Director.

TOBY CEDAR

Toby Cedar is an award-winning contemporary Artist and educator. He is a proud Torres Strait Island man from the both Eastern and Western Islands of the Torres Strait.

Toby’s practice includes both traditional and contemporary works, heavily influenced by his Torres Strait culture with many of his pieces being used in dance and performances.

He currently lives and works in Maitland as a Cultural Practitioner, giving educational workshops for both Primary and High Schools, Corporate and Community events.

In 2020 he was awarded the 3D Sculpture Award at CIAF Art Awards, 2021 was selected as a finalist in the 2021 Telstra NATSIAA Awards and in 2022 has been selected as a finalist in the 67th Blake Prize.

Toby has been included in significant exhibitions such as WAR WAR at Newcastle Art Gallery and a most recently a solo exhibition at MRAG - MIR GIZ KEMERKEMER OPGED LAM ZENADH KES (STORIES FROM THE EASTERN ISLANDS)

YAPANG EMERGING CURATOR PLACEMENT

JESSICA TOBIN

Jessica joins the MAC yapang team for a yapang Emerging Curator Placement. Her placement includes curating the yapang Emerging Art Prize finalist exhibition and working with the judges Sebastian Goldspink and Toby Cedar.   

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