neo: art prize 2019

Exhibition opens 7th September, preview and award ceremony 2-4pm at Bolton museum and art gallery.

‘Bolton to host a major international art prize…” Some might look twice at this statement if it appeared as a headline in a newspaper, but the fact that the organisers revived submission from artists from more than 30 different countries is testament to the increasing profile of the neo: art-prize. Much of this success is due to the energy and enthusiasm of neo:

This is an exciting time for the visual arts in Bolton. Good things are starting to happen. Firstly, there is neo: and the incredible range of its activities, from its residency programme to the international neo:art-prize, which the Museum is hosting for the very first time this year. Secondly, there is the School of the Arts, which is part of the University of Bolton. The school is reasserting its identity as an important force in the cultural life of the town. One of the Art School’s most recent venture is a new gallery on Bolton station, providing exhibition opportunities for emerging artists, designers and photographers.

And finally, there is the Museum itself, which re-opened in September 2018 after a major refurbishment. The refurbished space include a new art gallery and temporary exhibition gallery. We are delighted that neo: is bringing all the colour and invention of the neo:art-prize to the gallery this year.

There is no single dominant style, theme or message to take away from the exhibition, but perhaps that is symptomatic of the chaotic times we are living in. Diversity of approach, surreal humour, political despair and a sense of the absurd are the keynotes of the featured artworks. Artists can tell us things about the world in a way that people working in other discipline can’t. We are lucky that the participating artists have brought to Bolton their unique perspective on the world.

Mathew Watson ,Collections Access Officer ,Bolton Museum and Art Gallery

On Until 27th October 2019

neo: residency Award- New Graduate 2018-20: 12 week residency and solo show, sponsored by neo: artists, the University of Bolton and GreatArt

Lauren Curl

neo:artprize: Steph Huang

GreatArt Award: Narbi Price

Bolton Museum Gallery Award: Abid Aslam

Tiranti Sculpture Award: Charlotte Dawson

John Purcell Paper Award: Christy Burdock

Screen-stretch Awards: Lauren Curl

Artists,

Abid Aslam, Richard Baker, Mollie Balshaw, Chirsty Burdock, Janette Byrne, 5537 Fernando Holguin Cerecers, Genevieve Chua, Jo Clement, Sue Cohen, James Cross, Lauren Curl, Matt Davies, Charlotte Dawson, Garth Gratrix, Guildor, Shir Handelsman, Rowland Hill, Mark Houghton, Steph Huang, Marie Jones (Kochi Kochi), Nayeon Kang, Enzo Marra, Liam Mertens, Claudia Miller, Claire Mont Smith, Haley Morris Cafiero, Aija Elina Nieminen, Narbi Price, Tom Railton, Carole Reed, Olivia Rownland, Cherry Tenneson, Gunhild Thomson, Molly Thomson, Katie Tomlinson, Marianne Walker, Alan Ward, Teresa Wilson, Charlie Yetton

Judges:

Jordan Baseman – Senior tutor in moving image, RCA

Sacha Craddock – Art critic and curator

William Lunn – Dierctor, Copperfield gallery, London

Helen Wewiora- Director, Castlefield gallery, Manchester

neo: artprize 2019 organizer: Thaleia Kavvada, Jason Simpson, Denis Whiteside