Poppy Jones-Little and Sasha Napoli shortlisted for this year’s FUAM Graduate Art Prize
This year’s annual FUAM Graduate Art Prize is going virtual.
In its eighth year, the prize and exhibition (supported by FUAM: Friends of University Art & Music) rewards the artistic excellence of students completing BA studies in Fine Art and Art and Design at the University of Leeds.
The Stanley & Audrey Burton Gallery will host a virtual exhibition launching on Tuesday 3rd August showcasing the work of this year's four finalists.
The shortlisted artists were selected by an expert panel of judges following submissions from recent graduates of the School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies and School of Design at the University of Leeds.
The judging panel comprises Professor Alison Fell (Director of the Leeds Arts and Humanities Research Institute), Jane Bhoyroo (Producer, Yorkshire Sculpture International) and Helen Watson (Director, The Tetley – maternity cover).
This year’s four finalists are: Poppy Jones and Sasha Napoli (BA Fine Art); T’Shah Henry and Emma Lawrence (BA Art and Design).
Poppy Jones-Little, the lump of stuff which makes her up, deconstructed towel with image of ripped towel, 59.4 x 104.2 x 131 cm, 2020. © The Artist
Themes explored by the four finalists will include the liminal space within which exchanges transpire; sculptures that represent a single verb, for example ‘to squeeze’; abstraction of the human form framed by architectural features; and an exploration of the word ‘lump’.
In October, the judges will return to select the overall winner of the FUAM Graduate Art Prize.
The 'Best in Show' graduating student artist of the year will receive £250. Each of the runners-up will receive £100 to aid them in their developing career as artists. The prizes will be awarded by FUAM in an online awards ceremony on 14 October 2020.
Further details about this year’s FUAM Graduate Art Prize exhibition.
Sasha Napoli, Banana Peel, oil on linen with acrylic on paper 163 x24x7cm, clay banana 18x4x4cm, shown in simulated gallery space, 2020. © The Artist.
Poppy Jones-Little and Sasha Napoli were amongst 63 artists from the School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies who showcased their work via a digital degree e-vent earlier this summer. Standing in place of the ‘traditional’ degree show, SIMMER offered a digital door into a contemporary art renaissance and joined the first wave of physical degree shows moving to virtual platforms.
Feature image
Poppy Jones-Little, Lumpig at the discretion of the conservator, arm of sofa deconstructed and bound, 2020. © The Artist.
Sasha Napoli, Peep, oil paint and oil pastels on linen 60x50cm, 30x30cm, oil on loose canvas 200x100cm, 2019/2020. Shown in simulated gallery space. © The Artist.
