Sheffield-based artist Joanna Whittle has been announced as the winner of the Contemporary British Painting Prize 2019. She will receive £2,000 prize money, a critical essay of her work written by lead judge Griselda Pollock and an invitation to become a member of the contemporary British Painting Network.
Whittle, who studied at Central Saint Martins and Royal College of Art, has exhibited internationally including solo shows at Agnews and the Museum of London. Recent group exhibitions include Bloc Projects (2018), John Moores Painting Prize Exhibition (2018), and the RA Summer Exhibition (2019).
Her work explores the ‘material and illusory qualities of paint in an exploration of both real and imagined landscapes’.
Thanking the Contemporary Painting Prize judges for their decision, she said she was “very excited, honoured and happy” to have been selected as the prize winner.
Whittle was selected from a shortlist of 12 artists, drawn from 746 applicants, including: Louise Bristow, Stephanie Douet, Kirsty Harris, Helen Hayward, Adam Hennessey, Juliette Losq, Scott McCracken, Jo McGonigal, Ruth Murray, Diana Taylor and Maddie Yuille. In addition to the main award, Hennessey was awarded the ‘highly commended prize’.
The shortlist was selected by painters: Lisa Denyer, Geraint Evans, Judith Tucker and the 2018 prize winner, Joe Packer. The judging panel for the awards featured: Graham Crowley, artist; Griselda Pollock, visual art historian and scholar; and Grant Scanlan, Huddersfield Museum Manager.
The Contemporary British Painting was founded in 2013 by painters Simon Carter and Robert Priseman. Together, they have created a diverse group of painters from around the British Isles for the discussion and promotion of contemporary painting.
Contemporary British Painting Prize Show 2019 continues at Huddersfield Art Gallery until 4 January 2020. www.contemporarybritishpainting.com/wordpress/
Images:
1. Prize giving ceremony at Contemporary British Painting Prize 2019, Huddersfield Art Gallery. Photo: Narbi Price.
2. Preview of the Contemporary British Painting Prize show 2019, Huddersfield Art Gallery. Photo: Ruth Philo.
3. Contemporary British Painting Prize 2019 winner Jo Whittle (second left) with judges Grant Scanlan, Griselda Pollock and Graham Crowley.
4. Adam Hennessey accepts highly commended award at Contemporary British Painting award ceremony 2019, Huddersfield Art Gallery. Photo: Ruth Philo.
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