The finalists have been chosen for the inaugural Ramsay Art Prize, Australia’s most generous prize for young contemporary artists. An acquisitive award presented by the Art Gallery of South Australia, the $100,000 Prize invites submissions across any medium from Australian contemporary artists under the age of 40. Held every two years, it aims to support and encourage artists to produce their best work during the developing stages of their career.

“The Ramsay Art Prize is an important legacy project for the Art Gallery of South Australia that we hope will build confidence in Australian artist, foster young talent and change the way young artists are valued in the canon of contemporary art,” said Nick Mitzevich, Director of the Art Gallery of South Australia.

^{Natalya Hughes, Australia, born 1977, Olympia, 2016, giclee print on arches paper, 65 x 95 cm; Courtesy artist and  Milani Gallery, Brisbane. Photo © Carl Warner}

“Generally speaking, artists make their mark early – they establish a signature that is then honed but often their early work is brave, fresh and career defining,” he said. “Tom Roberts painted A break away! when he was 35 years old,...