The Lord Mayor of the inner Melbourne council, the City of Port Phillip, Councillor Amanda Stevens, recently announced the winners of the inaugural Linden Art Prize. The competition is designed to support emerging contemporary artists in Australia.

The winner of the first prize, Eric Demetriou, was awarded $10,000 while second prize-winner Emma Hamilton received $2000. Both winners also received a studio space for 12 months in addition to a tailored mentoring program to suit their individual practice. Third prize-winner Debbie Symons received a commercial gallery exhibition contract at MARS for 2015.

Emma Hamilton’s winning project ‘Salt Level’

Melbourne-based curators David Haggar and Kirsten Rann chose 10 finalists from a cohort of 2013 graduating masters and PhD students from a number of Victorian universities. The selection was based on the entrants’ final work from a PhD or masters project, along with up to three supporting works from their practice.

The winners were selected by a panel of judges including: Kirsten Paisley, director Shepparton Art Museum; Lesley Alway, director Asialink Arts; and Dr Shaune Lakin, director of the Monash Gallery of Art.

Debbie Symons’ winning project ‘World Species Market’

The works of all the finalists will be on display at the Linden Centre for Contemporary Arts in St Kilda from 21 February until 30 March 2014.

Exhibition details
Venue: Linden Centre for Contemporary Art, 26 Acland Street, St Kilda
When: 21 February – 30 March
Timing: Tuesday – Sunday 11am– 4pm, Wednesdays 11am–8pm