The Liverpool Art Prize has been awarding the region’s most exciting and inspiring contemporary visual artists for the past seven years. This year the judges were Pavel Büchler, a Czech-born, UK-based artist, teacher and occasional writer, Francesco Manacorda, Artistic Director of Tate Liverpool and Simon Poulter, new media artist and Metal’s Associate Curator. They considered the work of 53 artists, born or currently based in Liverpool City Region, who put forward their work following an open nomination process. The judges were unanimous in deciding to shortlist these three outstanding artists.
Wirral based Brigitte Jurack’s sculptures and installations seek to trigger memories of being, in place and in time. Recent sculptures and photographs celebrate play and include a new public artwork for Wallasey’s Central Park. She is one of the founding members of Foreign Investment, an artists’ collective that has performed and exhibited widely since its inauguration in 1996.
Tabitha Jussa’s socio-political photographic work has captured match-day crowds and abandoned social housing estates. Her recent large–scale compositions examine whether physical spaces and buildings define who we are.
Jason Thompson’s paintings take inspiration from mechanical, botanical and anatomical diagrams. Their repetitive patterns are made by copying, mirroring and or echoing other parts. Structures are formed by this feedback process and it is as though the painting begins to paint itself, like a natural evolutionary process.
The exhibition of the shortlisted artists’ work will take place in Liverpool during May and June 2014, to coincide with the International Festival of Business. The artists will compete for the £2000 cash prize announced at an Awards Ceremony in June. A new partnership with The Bluecoat will invite the winning artist to present a solo show in their Vide space in 2015. The People’s Choice award of £1000 is selected by a public vote taken at the gallery.
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