Monica Rani Rudhar has won Australia’s highest-value art prize for women, the Ravenswood Australian Women’s Art Prize. Publications for Life is a gold partner of the prize.
Monica, who grew up in Liverpool, south west Sydney, said at the announcement she was ‘blown away’ after winning the $35,000 professional artist category, for her ceramic artwork, When both shall meet.
The work is a nod to her Indian cultural heritage, which the judges praised for being ‘a monument to cultural identity and the intimacy of love between mother and daughter, husband and wife.’
“I feel so validated in my practice,” Monica told the audience at the opening night. “I grew up in Liverpool to migrant parents and never thought I could be an artist. It felt so unattainable and privileged. As I stand here, I feel like I’ve made that young Monica so proud.”
There were 1,750 entries and 103 finalists across three main categories of the prize, now in its 10th year. The emerging artist category and $7,500 was won by Jane Burton Taylor for her paper bark work, Colonial Waistcoat, which the judges described as ‘a reimagining of Colonial history,’ and should ‘spark a conversation about Australian history.’
The Indigenous Emerging artist prize of $7,500 was won by Northern Territory artist Stephanie Bush for her acrylic paint on canvas work, Papa Tjukurrpa-Nyumannu. Judges commented ‘how this painting feels alive with energy, inviting the viewer to dive into the patterns that are framed within frames of pattern.’
Since its inception in 2017, the Ravenswood Australian Women’s Art Prize has drawn nearly 15,100 entries, solidifying its pivotal role in shining a spotlight on women artists across Australia. In that year, less than 30% of artists in galleries were female. The National Gallery of Australia now has 50% gender equity.
Ravenswood principal Suzanne Floro said the prize was launched 10 years ago in recognition that ‘women artists have historically not received the public accolades their work deserves.’
It also went to the heart of ‘who we are as a school, supporting young women to flourish in all areas.’
“Over the past decade, we have exhibited more than 1,000 finalists from every state and territory, each showcasing extraordinary originality and talent. As the highest value art prize for women in Australia, we are proud of the role we have played in supporting women artists to continue creating and are thrilled that the wider community has wholeheartedly embraced our mission to champion the incredible diversity in the Australian visual arts.”
An exhibition of all finalists is on public display at Ravenswood School for Girls in Gordon until 31 May. The People’s Choice award will be determined at the end of the exhibition.
Finalist artworks from the prize are available to purchase via the website ravenswoodartprize.com.au
