T'Shah Henry and Emma Lawrence 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 Art and Design and Fine Art at the University of Leeds.

The Stanley & Audrey Burton Gallery will host a virtual exhibition launching on Tuesday 3 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 Design and the School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies 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: T’Shah Henry and Emma Lawrence (BA Art and Design – School of Design); Poppy Jones and Sasha Napoli (BA Fine Art – School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies).

To Squeeze, by Emma Lawrence

Themes explored by the four finalists 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.

Find out more about this year’s FUAM Graduate Art Prize exhibition.

Cover image

Emergence V, by T’Shah Henry.