At the award announcement on Saturday 2 July, it was declared that two artists would jointly share the inaugural Ellen José Art Award for young women.
The high calibre work on display, led to long deliberations by esteemed judges Prof. Marcia Langton, Associate Provost, University of Melbourne, and Max Delany, Artistic Director & CEO, ACCA.
The two winning artists are Moorina Bonini, for her video work Gowidja (After) 2021 and Elham Eshragian-Haakansson for her audio-visual installation edges of place 2022.
An excerpt of the judges' statement, explaining the decision, was read by the Mayor of Bayside, Cr Alex del Porto.
"We have elected to share the Award amongst two artists, in recognition of two outstanding and especially sophisticated works. We found it difficult to elevate one above the other, for they both have undeniable power and complexity, and historical and emotional gravitas, and show great promise from two young artists in the early stages in their career."
The works of the six shortlisted finalists - Moorina Bonini, Elham Eshraghian-Haakansson, Hannah Gartside, Nadia Hernández, Annika Romeyn and Emma Singer, are on display at Bayside Gallery.
Cr del Porto congratulated all the finalists on the high calibre of their submissions.
"Thank you to all our finalists for your time and expertise within your respective art-mediums. Bayside is proud to partner with the Ellen José Memorial Foundation on this initiative, which fosters your creative vision and artistic expression, so it can be enjoyed by the community at large."
Held in honour of Ellen José (1951-2017), this unique triennial award is a partnership between the Ellen José Memorial Foundation and Bayside City Council; encompassing a $15,000 non-acquisitive prize, designed to support young female artists in the early stages of their career.
Co-founder of the Ellen José Foundation, and husband of the late Ellen José, Dr Joseph Toscano spoke of the significance of the award for young female artists.
"The award aims to promote and mentor young female artists during a critical time in their career when many abandon their dream of becoming a full-time artist," Toscano said.
The Ellen José Art Award for young women exhibition, featuring the work of the six finalists is open until 28 August 2022 at Bayside Gallery. Entry is free and walk-ins are welcome.
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