After receiving a record-number of entries, we’re proud to share that several of our students and alumni have received awards and honorary mentions in this year’s Ashurst Emerging Artist Prize 2021. Winners include MA Fine Art student Maryam Hasnain at Chelsea College of Arts, who has won this year’s New Media Award, and Central Saint Martins and Wimbledon College of Art and Design alum Alexandra Harley, recipient of their Sculpture Award.
Maryam Hasnain
Maryam's multidisciplinary practice is underpinned by an interest in trade, empire, migration, borders and citizenship, explored through a variety of mediums including paintings, soundscapes, installations and textile interventions. She will receive £1,500 for her submission Oil Sticks on Kilim rug & Projection, and a solo exhibition at Rich Mix London’s Mezzanine Gallery for her artwork.
Alexandra Harley
Former Central Saint Martins and Wimbledon College of Arts student Alexandra Harley was the recipient of the Sculpture Award for her sculpture titled adaxka. Her award prize grants her a £1,750 cash prize, a £250 Cass Art voucher, as well as a solo exhibition at Ashurst.
Thomas Hjelm
The panel of judges which comprised the likes of Curator at the V&A Melanie Lenz, and Art Historian, Writer and Programme Director at Sotheby's Institute of Art Dr David Bellingham, also highly commended Thomas Hjelm for his painting Hold Me Closer. Thomas completed his BA and Foundation at Chelsea College of Arts in 2014 and will receive a solo exhibition at Ashurst’s London exhibition space in early 2022.
Amongst almost 4,700 artwork submissions by over 2,000 international students, 8 of 30 shortlisted candidates were UAL alumni, including
- Maryam Hasnain, MA Fine Art at Chelsea College of Arts (2020)
- Donghwan Ko, MFA alumni Wimbledon College of Arts (2014)
- Sayako Sugawara, MA Photography at London College of Communication (2013)
- Thomas Hjelm, BA and Foundation at Chelsea College of Arts (2014)
- K Blick, MA Fine Art at Central Saint Martins (2020)
- Latifah A Stranack, Graphic Design at Central Saint Martins (2014)
- Gus Skottowe, BA Fine Art at Central Saint Martins (2020)
- Alesandra Miró, BA Graphic Design, Motion Graphics course at Central Saint Martins (2017)
The winners were selected by an expert judging panel comprising the likes of Melanie Lenz, Curator at the V&A; Art Historian, Writer and Programme Director at Sotheby's Institute of Art Dr David Bellingham; and Briony Marshall, Sculptor and Head of Professional Development at The Art Academy.
"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 the judges for their enthusiasm, passion and commitment to the project.”
Anna Delgado, judge, partner and Arts Committee chair at Ashurst
All winners will have solo shows at Ashurst’s London headquarters in the City of London opposite Spitalfields Market, and Rich Mix in Shoreditch between 25 October until the end of December 2021.
To be invited to the Prize Giving & Private View event on 2 December please email team@artprize.co.uk, or see more information at www.artprize.co.uk