Aesthetica Art Prize Exhibition, York

Showcasing innovative and outstanding pieces, the Aesthetica Art Prize Exhibition features shortlisted works from artists in the following categories: Photographic and Digital Art; Three Dimensional Design and Sculpture; Painting and Drawing, and Video, Installation and Performance. This year’s show opens at York St Mary’s, York, in collaboration with York Museums Trust on 4 April and runs until 22 June. The shortlisted artists include Amedeo Abello & Federico Morando and Inés Molina Navea for Photographic & Digital Art; Deb Covell and Elke Finkenauer for Painting & Drawing; Harriet Lewars and Ingrid Hu for Three Dimensional Design & Sculpture and Julia Weißenberg and Sybille Neumeyer for Video, Installation & Performance.

The medieval backdrop of York St Mary’s, York Art Gallery’s contemporary art space, provides a unique setting for the exhibition, challenging the notion of the white cube and inspiring a dialogue between the historic and the contemporary. This show highlights artistic talent from locations including Germany, New Zealand, Italy, Chile and the UK. From thousands who entered, eight have been selected for exhibition and the work of a further 100 longlisted is projected within the space. This offers visitors an opportunity to experience the international breadth, and appreciate the range and quality of the work.

In addition to the exhibition there will be a number of lunch time talks held in the gallery. The talks are open to the public and free to attend and will feature presentations from Deb Covell, artist and finalist of the Aesthetica Art Prize 2013, Sam Lackey, Curator at The Hepworth Wakefield, James Boaden, lecturer in History of Art at the University of York, Cherie Federico, Director of Aesthetica and judge for the Aesthetica Art Prize and Mark Doyle, Head of Collector Development North for the Contemporary Art Society.

The judges for this year’s Prize included Cherie Federico, Laura Turner, Curator at York Art Gallery; Frances Guy, Head of Collections at The Hepworth Wakefield and Stuart Semple, internationally renowned artist. The Art Prize is supported by Aesthetica’s partners and sponsors: York Museums Trust, York St John University, Barber Titleys Solicitors, The Hepworth Wakefield, Winsor & Newton, Thomas & Paul Gallery and Prestel Books.

Aesthetica Art Prize Exhibition, 4 April – 22 June, York St Mary’s, Castlegate, York, YO1 9RN.

Credits
1. Image courtesy of Aesthetica and Sybille Neumeyer.