John McDonald, the Sydney Morning Herald’s Chief Art Critic and Facetnate! 2008’s guest judge announced his decision on 25 September 2008 at an intimate reception at the Rose Bay residence of the Consulate-General of Japan, Sydney, Nobuhito Hobo.

Ernst was one of the five finalists who were selected to participate in the Facetnate!-ing series of exhibitions, spawned from the Support Program for New Visual Artists, which opened last year. The aim of the program was to encourage local emerging artists to engage in elements of Japanese culture with their art, and in turn, promote cultural exchange between Australia and Japan.

Ernst is now the proud owner of the 2008 Japan Foundation’s New Artist Award, along with two tickets to attend the Yokohama Triennale, flying Japan Airlines.