Brett Whiteley Travelling Scholarship conferred on 6 up-and-coming artists

Every year, the Art Gallery of New South Wales’ Brett Whiteley Travelling Art Scholarship sees a young artist aged between 20 and 30 selected to receive a three-month residency at the Cité Internationale des Arts in Paris. This year’s winner is artist Mark Maurangi Carrol, who will also pocket $50,000 in funding to make the trip one to remember.

Selected by judge and Archibald Prize winning artist Guido Maestri, he was one of 12 finalists for the award. Maestri had his work cut out for him this year, saying that “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”.

Of Carrol, Maestri said “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”.

Five other artists were also awarded residencies, with Angus White, Joseph Christie Evans, Lauren O’Connor, Oliver Scherer and Sis Cowie all headed for a two-week residency at Shark Island Kangaroo Valley in NSW.

With these residencies, which were introduced in 2020, and an extra $10,000 in this year’s prize pot, this year’s Scholarship is bigger than ever. “Now in its 25th year, we are reflecting on the great legacy of the scholarship and the Whiteley family”, says Art Gallery of New South Wales director Michael Brand. “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”.

The works that earned this year’s recipients their Scholarships are currently on display at the Brett Whiteley Studio along with works by other finalists. The exhibition closes Sunday 26 November.