A gigantic pair of costume earrings created by an emerging Western Sydney artist has claimed the main award at one of Western Sydney's biggest exhibitions, the Blacktown City Art Prize.
Monica Rani Rudhar's ceramics work 'Imitation Earrings' is based on how she would use cheap jewellery to explore her Indian heritage.
It's one of an eclectic mix of 74 finalists across mediums including paintings, photography, sculpture, drawings and more on display at The Leo Kelly Blacktown Arts Centre.
In addition to the main award, Blacktown City Council also announced winners in the categories of First Nations, Local Artist and Early Career Artist.
Blacktown City Mayor Brad Bunting said the exhibition showcased the creativity and diversity of Western Sydney.
"For 29 years the Blacktown City Art Prize has given Western Sydney artists an opportunity to showcase their talents and express themselves," he said.
"Our First Nations and multicultural communities are well represented in this year's exhibition and I encourage everyone to visit and take a look."
Organisers received 472 entries from across Australia.
Visitors to the exhibition can vote for their favourite artwork in the People's Choice Prize.
The awards already announced were judged by Jasmine Sarin (Boomalli Aboriginal Artists Co-Operative), Morgan Hogg (artist), and Luke Létourneau (Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre Curator and Collections Lead).
Council organisers also thanked sponsors Ford Land Company and Workers Lifestyle Group.
The Blacktown City Young Artist Prize is running concurrently to the Blacktown City Art Prize.
Children have produced colourful, striking artworks in response to this year's theme: "Sharing our skies".
The Blacktown City Art Prize and Blacktown City Young Artist Prize exhibitions are open until 28 March. Entry is free.
Blacktown City Art Prize
Main Prize Winner
Monica Rani Rudhar
'Imitation Earrings'
First Nations Winner
Lisa Michl
'Sour Yam'
Local Artist Winner
Erik Shahmoradian
'A Mother's Love'
Early Career Artist
Tuifua Huakau
'Kumete'
Blacktown City Young Artist Prize
Most creative depiction of renewable energy
Shresth Rao Naibi Sriganesha
My Little imagination
13 years
Best expression of Blacktown City
Breonna Konidana
13 years
Sky's the limit
Most expressive use of colour
Kids Early Learning Rooty Hill
Samuel, Nyssa, Srivi, Evelyn, Shuvana and Melissa
4 and 5 years
I spy in the sky
Most creative use of recycled and natural materials presented by Blacktown City Council's Environmental Services Unit
Nirvi Kottur
5 years
Most creative interpretation of the theme: Sharing our Skies
Kisandu Jayasinghe
9 years
Rain, "the gift of Life" from the Mystical Skies
Most creative depiction of renewable energy
Ethan Geevarghese
13 years
Sharing our skies
