The Contemporary Visual Arts Network South East has announced the winner of its Platform Graduate Award 2016 as artist Daniel Owusu.
The University of Kent graduate will receive a 12-month programme of professional development from five participating art galleries, plus a £2,500 bursary towards further development of his practice.
Owusa works with a range of materials, including video, to explore issues relating to colonialism. For his degree show exhibition he staged a performance that mixed the features of a tennis court with an exam room, inviting visitors to come and sit a test.
Owusu was shortlisted for the prize by Turner Contemporary and selected as winner after an interview process with four other shortlisted graduates from across the south east region. The four other galleries taking part are Aspex, De La Warr, MK Gallery and Modern Art Oxford.
The other artists were: Olive Sanderson, University of Northampton, shortlisted by Milton Keynes Gallery; Eleanor Pearch, University of Brighton, shortlisted by De La Warr Pavilion; Nacheal Catnott, University of Reading, shortlisted by Modern Art Oxford; Sian Hutchins, Arts University Bournemouth, shortlisted by Aspex.
Now in its fifth year, the Platform Graduate Award aims to showcase young and emerging artists in the South East of England. Tutors and course leaders at various partner higher education institutions help to select students for the award.
Previous winners of the award include University of Brighton student Tom Heatley (2015) and University of Kent student Sophie Dixon (2014).
Images:
1. Daniel Owusu, Close Up, 2016, installation at the University of Kent. Image courtesy the artist
More on a-n.co.uk:
Best exhibitions of 2016: a-n writers pick their top five shows
2016 in view: Director Jeanie Scott reflects on a busy and challenging year
a-n bursaries 2017: open for applications from artists
