The winner of the first ever Arthole Artist’s Award for live art is London-based artist Marcia Farquhar. She receives a prize of £10,000 to undertake a self determined year-long research and artistic development programme.
The award was conceived by the artist Joshua Sofaer, and developed by the Live Art Development Agency (LADA) in collaboration with television executive Gary Carter. To be eligible, applicants must have been based in the UK for a minimum of 10 years and practising for the same period of time.
Following an open call in September 2015, LADA received 64 proposals that addressed a wide range of concepts and enquiries. A shortlist of 25 applicants were selected, with LADA staff and a small panel of invited experts in the field choosing the overall winner.
Farquhar, who is known for her work in performance, installation, video and object making, said: “I’m delighted, thrilled and amazed to have received the news that I have been awarded the Arthole Award and look forward to embarking on a programme of work within the time and space that it will give me.”
Farquhar plans to use the period to reflect on a career that spans over four decades, examining her archive in terms of her performance practice. “I look forward to discussions with scholars and practitioners, to engage critically with my work and to develop a deeper understanding of its place in the history of live art.”
