A dozen artists will see their work go on show in a central London gallery later this year thanks to the Evening Standard, with one of them also pocketing a £5,000 prize.
Our regular Art Prize is back with a new focus. This year we have joined forces with perfume brand Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle to invite entries from artists working in sculpture, textiles, ceramics, glassware, jewellery and wood carving.
In previous years, winners of the prize have gone on to launch their careers and enjoy solo shows after being talent-spotted by our judges. This year’s winner will also enjoy the privilege of having a bespoke fragrance created for them by the team at Frédéric Malle.
The theme for the 2023 prize is “a portrait of you”. Artists are asked to submit images of a single work or a coherent series of works celebrating self-expression and the way individuality and personality is shown through their artform.
They will be judged by a panel chaired by the Evening Standard’s culture editor Nancy Durrant, including ES magazine editor Ben Cobb, Editions de Parfums founder Frédéric Malle and multi-disciplinary artist Aowen Jin, alongside other successful figures from the art world soon to be announced.
Ms Durrant said: “We’re thrilled to be bringing back the Evening Standard Art Prize. It’s a tough time to be an artist — so many people have been forced to reduce or give up their creative endeavours over the last few years, and the art world isn’t the easiest place to make yourself heard at the best of times.
“This prize money will make a genuine difference to the winner’s life and practice, and I’m super-excited that the 12 shortlisted artists will have their work displayed ata public exhibition at the gorgeous Cromwell Place.
“The Standard has always championed the arts and I’m just massively chuffed that we’re able to materially support creativity and self-expression, which are invaluable to helping us and those around us make sense of the world.”
On the shift in focus, Ms Durrant added: “Our brilliant collaborator Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle is all about craftsmanship and individuality, so we were keen for the prize to reflect that wide spectrum of talent in making. I can’t wait to see what comes out of it.”
The competition is open to all artists, over the age of 18, excluding those who have had a solo exhibition in a public institution.
Entries must be the artist’s own work and can be of any size but must fit easily through a standard door frame (1,981cm x 762cm).
Entrants will be required to submit three to five images of their work, from different angles and distances, along with a statement of 150 to 200 words about themselves and their submission.
The final shortlisted 12 artists will have their work displayed at Cromwell Place before a winner is chosen on September 6.
The competition launched on Wednesday and is open for entries for six weeks, until June 15.
To find out more go to artprize.standard.co.uk
