Emily Ferretti is a finalist in the R & M McGivern Prize 2026
We are delighted to announce Emily Ferretti is a finalist in the R & M McGivern Prize 2026.
The shortlisted work comes from Night and Day, Ferretti’s first solo presentation at CHALK HORSE. The body of work moves through moonlight, autumn foliage, rain and afternoon light, capturing the quiet, shifting moods of the natural world with a loose, tactile hand reminiscent of early Mondrian’s studies of light and trees. Rendered in ink, watercolour, pastel and crayon, the works sit between observation and memory – tracing the sensation of a place as much as its appearance.
Afternoon Light was selected from a total entry pool of 531 submissions, with only 50 works by 50 individual artists shortlisted as finalists — in what the judging panel described as the most competitive field since the prize began in 2003.
The R & M McGivern Prize is an acquisitive art award presented by Arts in Maroondah. Finalists’ works will be exhibited across two venues, ArtSpace Realm and Maroondah Federation Estate Gallery, from 16 November 2026 – 24 January 2027, with the prize winners announced at an official launch event on Thursday 19 November 2026.
For enquiries please email admin@chalkhorse.com.au.
Work:
Emily Ferretti, Afternoon Light, 2025, ink and watercolour on paper, 107 x 77.5 cm.