If you’re looking for bright, fresh talent (or if you’re a Northern-based artist keen to enter an up-and-coming prize), check out the Northern Art Prize, and their new exhibition which starts tomorrow at Leeds Art Gallery.
The annual prize is now in its 5th year and celebrates the tremendous diversity of artists working in the North of England. Welcoming entrants who work in any media, and from all age groups and nationalities, the Northern Art Prize was set up in 2007 by Leeds City Council, Arup and Logistik with the aim of encouraging future talent and helping to make art accessible to all.
Four artists have been short-listed for this year’s prize. They are:
Liadin Cooke – using watercolours and sculpture, Cooke’s thoughtful work takes subjects apart before reforming them in her highly distinctive style
Leo Fitzmaurice – a sculptor and creator of humorous installations, Fitzmaurice utilises everyday objects from an unusual standpoint
James Hugonin – a painter of highly detailed work, Hugonin uses thousands of colours within a complex grid to create highly absorbing paintings
Richard Rigg – through sculpture, Rigg alters the state of everyday objects to challenge the viewer’s perspective (including a piano with every key tuned to middle C)
The winner will receive £16500, whilst the runners up will each be awarded £1500 – the announcement of which artist has won this year’s prize will be made on 19 January 2012.
In the meantime, head down to Leeds Art Gallery from 25 November to 19 February 2012 to pick out your favourite and experience the rich artistic talent of our area.
And if you need accommodation in Leeds during the exhibition, check out the Leeds hotels on Hello Yorkshire.