Sydney Contemporary, in partnership with Principal Partner MA Financial Group, has named emerging First Nations artist Alfred Lowe as the winner of the acquisitive $10,000 MA Art Prize.

Presented at Carriageworks September 5-8, Sydney Contemporary showcases over 85 galleries and more than 400 artists from Australia and around the world, alongside a dynamic program of installations, performances and talks.

Lowe was delighted to take out the MA Art Prize, which was established to celebrate and support emerging and early career artists in Australia.

"I am thrilled to be the recipient of the 2024 MA Art Prize. Sydney Contemporary is a gathering of the country's best artists and galleries and I look forward to this event every year, so to be recognised here is very special. My work, 'All dressed up I' is a joyful celebration of love, defiance and what it means to present yourself to the world. The work holds space unapologetically and dares you to try to ignore it," he said.

An Arrernte person from Snake Well in the Central Desert, north of Alice Springs, who now lives and works in Adelaide, practising at APY Studio, Lowe typically uses clay and ceramics to explore themes of Country using organic forms and textures informed by his intimate knowledge of the central desert landscape. His winning work, All dressed up I, 2024, sees a large-scale vessel created using hand-built stoneware with sgraffito and raffia.

Lowe is influenced by his lived experience growing up in Central Australia, fuelling an interest in politics and racial justice, and in particular how culture and identity are navigated and manifested in modern times.

Lowe's winning piece was selected by a judging panel featuring Andrew Martin, MA Financial Group, Janna Robertson, MA Financial Group, Amelia Hill, MA Financial Group, Jarrod Rawlins, Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), and Sue Cato, Cato & Clive.

"Alfred's work is an impressive stand amongst a high-quality group of finalists. He is a worthy recipient of the MA Art Prize. Alfred's bold and confident use of colour, form and texture draws on his intimate knowledge of the central desert landscape north of Alice Springs. We are hopeful that the MA Art Prize will help Alfred, as an early career artist, realise his full potential," said head of Asset Management at MA Financial and member of the judging panel for the MA Art Prize, Andrew Martin.

Since its inception in 2013, Sydney Contemporary has established itself as Australasia's premier art fair, regularly attracting over 25,000 visitors at each edition and recording over $121 million in art sales since its launch.

At this year's fair, highlights include a giant 20m wide Skywalker Gibbon installation by renowned contemporary artist Lisa Roet on the roof of Carriageworks for Installation Contemporary; a dynamic Talk Contemporary program headlined by a conversation with Mona's Kirsha Kaechele; a vibrant immersive performance by multidisciplinary artist HOSSEI for Performance Contemporary; and artist Lara Merrett leading Kid Contemporary.

Sydney Contemporary Fair director Zoe Paulsen said that each year the Sydney-based event showcases an array of new pieces of work that visitors can either purchase or admire.

"We are excited to throw open the doors to this year's Sydney Contemporary, which features an incredible lineup of galleries and artists from Australia and around the world. Each year Sydney Contemporary offers artwork of exceptional quality by artists at diverse stages in their careers working across a range of mediums," she said.

"We aim to provide entry points for all our visitors to the Fair, whether they're buying their first artwork or seeking to diversify their collections, and we can't wait for them to experience this year's program, filling the iconic Carriageworks space with joy, curiosity and ideas in a major celebration of contemporary art."

The news of Ames Yavuz presenting their first solo presentation with celebrated Wiradjuri and Ngunnawal artist Brook Andrew, has also gained consumer excitement, with a selection of works centred on music, poetry and the archive. The gallery also presents new works by artists and brothers Abdul Abdullah and Abdul-Rahman Abdullah, exploring animal archetypes and deconstructing contemporary quests for knowledge and identity.

With both consumers and critics set to be spoilt for choice when it comes to art, installations, activations and more, in 2024 Sydney Contemporary has certainly pushed boundaries.

Sydney Contemporary Founder and Co-Owner Tim Etchells supported this by recognising that the event plays a a vital role in the Australian art market.

"Sydney Contemporary has firmly established itself as Australasia's premier art fair, and as we unveil the eighth edition this year, we look forward to welcoming collectors from across Australia, New Zealand and around the world to Carriageworks for yet another year of strong art sales. Providing the most concentrated week of art sales annually in Australia, Sydney Contemporary plays a vital role in the Australian art market and provides a key meeting place for collectors and art lovers alike," he said.

Tickets to Sydney Contemporary are available to purchase online. Sydney Contemporary is supported proudly by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.

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