Artspace and Create NSW have announced the nine finalists for the 2017 edition of the prestigious NSW Visual Arts Emerging Fellowship (NSWVAEF) including Fernando do Campo, Emma Fielden, Ashleigh Garwood, Spence Messih, Claudia Nicholson, Emily Parsons-Lord, Jason Phu, Shan Turner-Carroll and Louise Zhang.
This year seven artists associated with UNSW Art & Design are finalists including: current MFA candidates Spence Messih and Claudia Nicholson; four alumni Ashleigh Garwood, Emily Parsons-Lord, Jason Phu and Louise Zhang; and recently appointed lecturer Fernando do Campo.
Valued at $30,000, this Fellowship is offered by the NSW Government through Create NSW to enable a visual artist at the beginning of their career to undertake a self-directed program of professional development. The Fellowship exhibition is a key platform for profiling the dynamism and breadth of emerging contemporary artistic practice in NSW. Now in its 21st year at Artspace, this initiative continues to define new generations of contemporary art practice for both artists and audiences.
Each year Create NSW convenes an independent judging panel to determine the finalists. In 2017, once again it was a highly competitive field of proposals.
Artspace Executive Director Alexie Glass-Kantor, Curator Talia Linz and Curatorial Assistant Lola Pinder will undertake a series of studio visits with each of the artists as part of three months of curatorial development leading up to the exhibition. One of the participating artists will be awarded the Fellowship on the opening night of the exhibition on Wednesday 8 November 2017. More information.