The winner of the Shape Arts’ 2016/17 Adam Reynolds Memorial Bursary has been revealed as sculptor Oliver Macdonald. The Worthing-based artist will receive a £7,000 bursary plus a three-month residency at Turner Contemporary in Margate starting in February 2017.
Macdonald, who originally trained as a basket weaver and wood carver, is known for his sculptures that explore issues around disability such as exclusion. The Royal College of Art graduate has previously exhibited at venues including the Horniman Museum and Enclave 8, London, plus internationally at the Museum of Young Art, Vienna.
Explaining how the award will benefit his practice, Macdonald commented: “It will provide me with a much needed opportunity to reinvest time and energy into my practice in an environment that supports and embraces the challenges that come with being a disabled artist. This is such an amazing and vital scheme that provides a practical solution to the needs of artists such as myself.”
Victoria Pomery OBE, director of Turner Contemporary, explained what the residency will offer: “Artists are the lifeblood of what we do and hosting this residency in our Clore Learning Studio will create a fantastic opportunity for our audiences to engage directly with Oliver.
“Working with the successful recipient for three months supports our commitment to making ourselves relevant to diverse audiences and will allow us to build on our existing staff training to improve confidence in working with disabled people across our team.”
Macdonald was selected by a panel including: Tony Heaton, chief executive, Shape; Fiona Parry, programme curator, Turner Contemporary; Molly Molloy, learning officer, Turner Contemporary; and Terry Smith, artist and curator.
The annual Adam Reynolds Memorial Bursary was set up in memory of sculptor, curator, gallery director and teacher Adam Reynolds, who passed away in 2005. Now in its ninth year, the award supports mid-career disabled artists looking to develop their practice and raise their profile.
Images:
1. Oliver Macdonald, Untitled. Image copyright Ivan Coleman
2. Oliver Macdonald, Untitled. Image copyright Ivan Coleman
3. Turner Contemporary. Photo: Benjamin Beker
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