2023, UK New Artist of the Year Award at Saatchi Gallery
2023, UK New Artist of the Year Award at Saatchi Gallery
Now in its fourth year, this event highlights the work of ten exceptional artists who will have the privilege of exhibiting their work at the prestigious Saatchi Gallery in London on Thursday 9 November 2023. The finalist exhibition at Saatchi Gallery will be curated by Garth Gratrix - an artist, curator and founding Director of Abingdon Studios in Blackpool, UK. Gratrix is the recipient of a Clore Leadership Fellow for Visual Arts (2022/23).
From 1,600 submissions, 10 emerging artists were shortlisted for the 2023 Robert Walters Group UK New Artist of the Year Award. The 2023 finalists are: Damaris Athene (London), William Bacon (Oxford), Parham Ghalamdar (Manchester), Sofia Laskari (London), Kieran Leach (Manchester), Elena Njoabuzia Onwochei-Garcia (Glasgow), Edward Rollitt (Winchester), Anna Tong (London), Kim Thompson (Nottingham), Pascal Ungerer (Ireland).
This year’s theme:
"The Journey of Self-Actualization: Exploring the Illusion of Greener Grass and the Pursuit of the Dream."
Artists are encouraged to reflect on the concept of "greener grass" and how it can deceive us into believing that happiness lies solely in external circumstances, artists can explore the idea that appearances can be deceiving and that true fulfilment comes from within.
The 10 shortlisted artists’ work will be exhibited at the Saatchi Gallery in London for a VIP awards evening, as well as in a virtual gallery space, online for one month following the award.
Artist Statement
"My paintings explore displacement, asylum-seeking, and identity. Through metaphorical figures and portraits of the displaced, I aim to capture the experience of the journey to seek asylum hoping for greener grass in pursuit of dreams.
The process of seeking asylum and dreaming entails individuals stepping into the unknown, leaving behind the familiar and venturing into uncharted territories. This element of risk and uncertainty permeates my paintings, infusing them with a mysterious atmosphere.
The symbol of the tent, a temporary structure, embodies resilience and challenges the notion of permanence. It queerly disrupts the landscape, representing the hope for a better future. Within the tent's shelter, individuals find solace, sleep, and dream, escaping the harsh realities they face outside.
The paintings reflect the deep longing for a brighter tomorrow, whether it be safety and or self-fulfilment. They embody the courage and determination required to leave one's home country and confront the unknown. The tent serves as a visual reminder of the challenges and aspirations.
In summary, my paintings capture the essence of displacement through metaphorical figures and portraits. The tent, with its temporality and symbolic power, challenges the notion of permanence and embodies the resilience and longing for a better future."
INSTALLATION VIEWS
