It’s official — the Central West is once again in the national spotlight, with two local artists named finalists in one of the country’s most prestigious art prizes.
Portland-based sculptor Harrie Fasher and Napoleon Reef painter Nicola Mason have both secured coveted finalist spots in the Wynne Prize, part of the nationally celebrated Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes presented by the Art Gallery of New South Wales.
In a region long recognised for its depth of creative talent and strong artistic community, the announcement feels less like a surprise and more like a well-earned moment of recognition.
Fasher was selected for her bronze sculpture “Shared country (for Rauschenberg)”, a work that quite literally bears the imprint of her hands. The piece explores strength and vulnerability, with fingerprints preserved in bronze and organic materials embedded into the form — a nod to both permanence and fragility.
Created at The Foundations in Portland, where Fasher has built a formidable industrial-scale studio and foundry, the work reflects not just artistic vision, but years of investment in regional creative infrastructure. Alongside her own practice, she mentors and trains emerging artists, proving you don’t need a city postcode to produce world-class work.
Fasher’s practice continues to gain national attention, with major exhibitions, awards and her recent solo show at Orange Regional Gallery adding to an already impressive resume.
Meanwhile, just down the road — and equally grounded in place — Mason’s painting “Napoleon Reef” has also captured the attention of judges.
Drawing on her background in science and conservation, Mason’s work responds to the regenerating post-gold mining landscape of the Central West. Her process is layered, thoughtful and deeply connected to Country, with the painting shaped by daily walks, observation and a quiet awareness of history.
Mason, who works with Arts OutWest, is no stranger to national recognition. Her work has featured in multiple major exhibitions, including the Salon des Refusés, and she has steadily built a reputation for thoughtful, place-based practice that resonates far beyond the region.
Together, the two artists represent different mediums, different approaches — but a shared connection to landscape, community and lived experience.
The Wynne Prize itself celebrates Australian landscape painting and figurative sculpture, making it the perfect platform for both artists’ work. This year’s competition attracted hundreds of entries, with just 52 finalists selected, placing Fasher and Mason firmly among the country’s leading contemporary artists.
The broader exhibition continues to draw national attention each year, showcasing the depth and diversity of Australian art across portraiture, landscape and subject painting.
Finalists’ works will be on display in Sydney from May 9 through to August, with winners announced on May 8.
For the Central West, the result reinforces what many here already know — this is a region where creativity runs deep, and where artists continue to shape conversations well beyond its borders.
