A Charles Sturt University (CSU) student is among an elite group of young artists named as finalists in the Brett Whiteley Travelling Art Scholarship 2014.

PhD student Mr Tony Curran from the School of Communication and Creative Industries at CSU in Wagga Wagga is one of only seven finalists in the annual award. His work, an abstract portrait of his partner Ms Sonya Gee, was produced as part of his PhD.

The painting, Fiancee 2013, ishanging in the Brett Whiteley Studio in Surry Hills in Sydney until Sunday 26 October.

The annual Brett Whiteley Travelling Art Scholarship is open to Australian artists aged between 20 and 30 years. The winner is awarded a three-month residency in Paris plus $25 000 to further their education.

The works of the winner, 30 year old James Drinkwater and six finalists can be viewed on the Art Gallery NSW site.

Mr Curran said, "While I didn't win the Scholarship, I am thrilled to have my work exhibited in a gallery as prestigious as the Brett Whiteley Studio which preserves the memory of one of Australia's most important post-war artists. 

"Being one of seven finalists selected means that my research is being judged, by experts in the field, to be of a high calibre against other painters in my age group," he said.

"I intend to submit again in 2015 which will be the final year that I'll be young enough to enter." 

Within days of being named a finalist, the artist married his partner Ms Gee and the couple are currently on their honeymoon in New York City.

Earlier this year, Mr Curran had another painting selected to hang in the Salon Des Refuse in the E H Ervin Gallery in Sydney. Read more in CSU News here.