A major new art prize named the Concord Art Prize is set to launch in London this September, celebrating works of art inspired by music. Ten finalists have received a £1,000 bursary to design their submissions, including work by Anna Kerman, Sam Tahmessabi, Jacob Love, Angela Fung and Olly Fathers. The shortlisted works will be exhibited at 180 Strand this September, where the winner will be announced at a private view.
Over 600 submissions were initially received for the inaugural prize, from various different artists aged between 18-72, responding to a selection of songs from Concord Music Publishing’s extensive catalogue. On show will be works inspired by music including rockband Pink Floyd, UK rap stars Krept & Konan, composers Rodgers & Hammerstein, singer-songwriter Joan Armatrading, Russian composer Stravinsky and British DJ Mark Ronson.
The distinguished panel of judges, including world renowned British artist Mat Collishaw, representatives from the Royal College of Art, Central Saint Martins and Hiscox, alongside Julie Lomax (CEO of a-n, The Artists Information Company), Robert Yates of The Observer, and songwriters Mark Ronson and Joan Armatrading, have deliberated and chosen their 10 finalists who will exhibit their final piece in London this September, in a show curated by Friday Trampoline’s Ali Hillman.
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Imagining
The opening event will host the artists, organisers, judging panel and press with champagne provided by partners of the show, Taittinger Champagne, to toast the winner crowned the 2021 Concord Art Prize victor who will be walking away with the £10,000 prize.
Royal College of Art’s Pamela Golden said: “the submissions showed an extraordinary wealth of visual voices presenting a wide range of possibilities of imagining each of the songs.”
CEO of a-n The Artists Information Company, Julie Lomax remarks: “It has been an honour and a privilege to judge the Concord Art Prize, from listening to the songs, some familiar, other marketing key moments in my life, and some new to me, and then looking at all the artists responses, bringing new perspectives from the wild and playful, to formal and abstract. Only Concord Music Publishing could bring together artists in celebration of music as diverse as Steve Reich and Krept and Konan, it promises to be an exciting exhibition and showcase of new talent.”
The curator of the event, Ali Hillman declares: “It is a privilege to benefit from the expert knowledge assembled in this judging panel. Part of the Prize’s attraction is the opportunity to have our work assessed by leading academics and contemporary art figures. We are so excited to reveal the findings of our dedicated team and look forward to sharing the winning works.”
The full shortlist of finalists and their pieces:
- Becky Houghton – The self-taught Bristol-based ceramist will create a beautiful porcelain work inspired by Pink Floyd’s The Great Gig In The Sky.
- Angela Fung (image top of page) – The award-winning jeweller and one half of the multi-disciplinary design studio of Fung and Bedford will produce a bespoke architectural origami paper installation based on Steve Reich’s Music For 18 Musicians.
- Sam Tahmassebi – Inspired by Stravinsky’s The Rite Of Spring, he is planning an original painting on canvas, informed by digital culture.
- Olly Fathers – Graduate of Wimbledon College of Art, he will respond to Newley & Bricusse’s Pure Imagination with a sculpture. His work explores the relationships between abstract shapes, different materials and forms.
- Jacob Love – The Goldsmiths’ educator, who has previously had a solo show at the Leslie Lohman Museum in 2013, has chosen Rodgers & Hammerstein’s My Favourite Things. He will create a large-scale video installation.
- Olivia Martin Snowsill – Will respond to Krept & Konan’s Broski with a mixed media work on canvas.
- Nina Miranda – Nina is a multi-media artist based in London and Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. She is both a musician and a soundscape artist who will respond to Joan Armatrading’s Love & Affection.
- Anna Kerman – Swedish-born abstract artist, who received an MA from University of Arts London, will explore Mark Ronson feat Yebba’s Don’t Leave Me Lonely through painting with acrylic in a fevered and immediate manner.
- Deborah Hobson – Having studied at UAL, she creates politically and socially engaged art works which provoke radical dialogue. She will create a collaged drawing, exploring portraiture in an expanded interpretation relating to Ray Barretto’s A Deeper Shade Of Soul.
- Michal Raz – Born in Jerusalem, currently living and working in London, Michal’s work is underlined by continued research of ethnology, pattern making, ornamentation, abstract art, pop culture and digital aesthetics. She graduated from the Slade School of Fine Art in 2018 and will make a diptych inspired by Lyra’s New Day.
For more information on the Concord Art Prize, click here.
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