Monday night saw the opening of Inspired by…, an exhibition showcasing new artwork made by adult learners from across the UK, inspired by the V&A’s collection. The quality of the work submitted was impressive and I was honoured to be invited to select the winner for ‘Digital Media’, a category introduced to the competition for the first time.
Inspired by... on until 17.6.16 V&A Curator's hard at work! Exhibition held at Morley Gallery, 61 Westminster Bridge Road, SE1 7HT 17
The selection process was really vigorous and I was joined by colleagues across the Museum’s departments to undertake this challenging task. The 9 categories judged this year were ceramics, glass & stained glass, sculpture, jewellery, textiles & fashion, printmaking, drawing, digital media (including photography, video and sound art) and the Museum of Childhood category.
The imaginative creativity, high standard and diversity of work was incredibly rich. The selection process was made based on evidence of inspiration from the V&A’s collections, technical skill, creativity and innovation, and originality. With 315 entries and 96 works exhibited in the show, competition was stiff. After careful deliberation the category winners were selected. I was particularly impressed by Paula Garcia Stone’s evocative piece Las doce en punto y sereno which brought the ironwork gallery to life in a new way for me.
A huge congratulations to everyone who took part and to the artists whose work was selected.
Inspired by … PRIZE WINNERS 2016 Printmaking: A walk along Galé Beach, Nicola Atchley (Morley College) Ceramics: Walking in the Rain, Lesley Scoble (Hackney Community College) Jewellery: Contemporary: roller-printed necklace, Heidi Minshall (Morley College)Drawing & Painting: I want to get dressed and go out, Rebecca Hathaway (Heatherley’s Scool of Fine Art) Textiles & Fashion: The Leeds to Liverpool Slow Way, Learning Stars (Workers Education Association) Glass & Stained Glass: The Forest, Dawn James (Kensington and Chelsea College)Sculpture: Peter and Martin, Patsy Hickman (Mary Ward Centre) The Museum of Childhood: Interloper, Ruby Wright (Morley College) Digital Media: Las doce en punto y sereno, Paula Garcia Stone (Morley College) Victoria and Albert Museum Prize (for best use of V&A Collections): Lea’s Tales, Vanessa Ramasawmy (Richmond Adult Community College) The Linbury Trust Prize (Highly Commended): Origami Necklace, Nicky MacQuarrie (Morley College) The Linbury Trust Prize (Highly Commended): Natural World Playing Cards, Rachel Hunt (Putney School of Art and Design) Rootstein Hopkins Prize (for Outstanding Piece of Work): Needle and Thread, Bren Nevin (Morley College).
I’d encourage everyone to go and see the exhibition which runs until 17th June 2016.
The online catalogue is available here: http://shortlister.inspired.by/guide_online_detail/99273/#start
Inspired by … 2016 is organised and hosted by Morley Gallery in collaboration with the V&A Museum and supported by NIACE, craft&design magazine, The Rootstein Hopkins Foundation and the Linbury Trust.
