Ashurst Emerging Artist Prize 2021 winners announced

The prize has been hugely successful receiving almost 4,700 artworks submitted by over 2,000 international artists, from all around the world including South Korea, China, France, Argentina, Pakistan, Ireland, America, Japan, Australia, Canada and the UK.

Five winners were selected from the 30 shortlisted artists, receiving £10,000 worth of prizes and solo exhibitions. The winners are:

Overall Award : Charles Inge (see below) – A British artist who worked in advertising as an Art Director for over 30 years. His time in advertising influences his work in subtle ways but his lust for life is the main ongoing subject of his paintings; even if they are tinged with sadness. As overall winner Charles will receive £3,000, £500 of Cass Art vouchers and a solo exhibition at Ashurst.

Sculpture Award: Alexandra Harley (see below) – Inspired by the diverse physicality of the materials she uses in her practice. Each material functions as both a starting point and a process, a core element and a guiding rhythm, through which she seeks to capture and elucidate fleeting moments. Alexandra will receive the £1,750 cash prize, £250 of Cass Art voucher and a solo exhibition at Ashurst.

Photography Award: Ingrid Weyland (see below) – Ingrid's work is a tribute, and a possible farewell, to the nature around her which has experienced serious environmental degradation throughout the years. Through the materiality of the printed image, she intends to highlight the violent damage caused to nature by manipulating and distorting her photographed landscapes. Ingrid will receive £500, £1,500 of Genesis Imaging vouchers and a 12 month mentorship, as well as a solo exhibition at Ashurst.

Choice Award: Grete Hjorth-Johansen (see below) – Bridging the gap between photographic and painterly aesthetics, Grete uses a vibrant colour palette of lighting to explore and describe the moods, emotions and atmospheres that she experiences in her environments. In addition to a solo exhibition, Grete will receive £1,500, and £250 of Cass Art vouchers.

New Media Award: Maryam Hasnain (see below) – Maryam's practice is underpinned by an interest in trade, empire, migration, borders and citizenship. These themes are explored through a variety of mediums; paintings, soundscapes, installations and textile interventions. Maryam will receive £1,500 cash and a solo exhibition at Rich Mix London’s Mezzanine Gallery.

The judges also highly commended Margaret Scott, Thomas Hjelm, Sueyon Yang and Thiago Sancho. Their artworks further highlighted the talent, variety of mediums, and ideas in contemporary art practice that the judges felt worthy of promoting, and will each receive solo exhibitions at Ashurst’s London exhibition space in early 2022.

Anna Delgado, judge and Partner and Arts Committee Chair at Ashurst, commented:

"Our congratulations go to the winners and to all the entrants on their inspiring range of artworks. It is wonderful to see the prize attract so many diverse artists from all over the world, and we look forward to presenting the winners’ exhibitions to the public in our London office. I would also like to thank each of my fellow judges for their enthusiasm, passion and commitment to the project."

Conrad Carvalho, Prize Director and Director of Oaktree & Tiger, added:

“We are very grateful to Ashurst and our supporters for their hard work supporting emerging artists throughout the world. We have worked hard to use their resources, and developed a significant platform that has brought a lot of opportunities and successes for artists in a time when many other corporates were cutting sponsorship of the arts.”

The winners were selected by an expert judging panel comprising Mark Wippell, a portfolio non-executive director and advisor, Melanie Lenz, Curator at the V&A, Mark Foxwell, Genesis Imaging Creative Director, Dr David Anfam, a Curator, Art Historian and Writer, Averil Curci, independent Art Advisor, Josh McNorton, Creative Director Wembley Park for Quintain plc, Dr David Bellingham an Art Historian, Writer and Programme Director at Sotheby's Institute of Art, Anna Delgado, Partner and Arts Committee Chair at Ashurst, Howard Lewis, Collector and Director of the Schorr Collection and Briony Marshall, Sculptor and Head of Professional Development at The Art Academy.

To be invited to the Prize Giving & Private View event on the 2nd December please email team@artprize.co.uk, or see more information at www.artprize.co.uk.