The winner of the fourth edition of Acme’s Helen Scott Lidgett Studio Award has been announced as Central Saint Martins’ MA Fine Arts student Kristaps Ancans.
The award, which was created in memory of the former governor of University of the Arts London, Helen Scott Lidgett, aims to provide a bridge between art school and practice.
Ancans will receive a rent-free studio for 12 months at Acme’s Warton House building on the edge of the Olympic Park in Stratford, London, plus a bursary of £5,000. He will also have access to networking opportunities that will support his professional development.
Describing how the award will benefit his practice, Ancans said: “It will provide not only the space to work but the opportunity to work alongside other emerging artists in the studio.”
Ancans was selected by a panel including Turner Prize nominee Cathy de Monchaux, Acme chief executive Hannah Corbett, Aaron Scott Lidgett, and Graham Ellard, Professor Fine Art, Central Saint Martins.
Ellard said: “Kristaps’ work is restless, unruly and makes familiar forms – from the monument to the painting – strange and disconcerting. Its inventiveness is exciting and its realisation, with a beautiful refinement and attention to detail, is completely assured.”
Previous winners of the award include Emma Corrall, Jamie Hosegood and Hugo Brazao. It forms part of Acme’s Residency and Awards Programme which also includes the alternating Rita Harris Studio Award and Jessica Wilkes Award.
Image:
Kristaps Ancans at the Central Saint Martins degree show, 2016. Photo: Hannah Corbett for Acme
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Acme announces 2015/16 Graduate Studio Awardees
Lucy Harris wins Rita Harris Studio Award
