Aesthetica Art Prize Longlisted Artist, Twinkle Troughton

Originally from Coventry, Twinkle Troughton studied Fine Art at Kingston University and has lived and worked in London ever since. Twinkle’s work is inspired by current political issues, the human condition and the past – particularly modern British history. These influences unite to create work which questions cultural habits inherited through generations, evoking both political and emotional themes. Satire can be also found in many of her paintings which functions as a foil to far more serious undertones stemming from her chosen topics. Her main practice is painting, using acrylic on canvas to create both boldly direct and subtly thoughtful pieces alike.

Suffragette Century, which was shortlisted for the Aesthetica Art Prize 2012, is heavily influenced by the artist’s fascination with Britain between now and the 18th Century. More directly, the painting was inspired by a quote Queen Victoria: “The Queen is most anxious to enlist everyone in checking this mad, wicked folly of women’s rights. It is a subject which makes the Queen so furious that she cannot contain herself”, and features the monarch contemplating with a sense of detachment the restraint of female protesters. Twinkle celebrates the broad impact the suffragette movement internationally with this piece, and aims to bring the plight of these brave women to fore once again with the argument that their battle is yet to be won.

The Aesthetica Art Prize is open for entries until 31 August, providing emerging artists with the opportunity to introduce their work to wider, international audience. In addition to the £1000 cash prize and six months studio space for the main prize winner, 100 longlisted artists will be included in a group exhibition set to take place spring 2014 in the historic setting of York St Mary’s, York Art Gallery’s Contemporary Art Space, and will have their work published in the Aesthetica Art Prize Anthology on sale at major galleries across the UK.

For more info head to www.aestheticamagazine.com/artprize and the deadline is 31 August.

Credits
1. Suffragette Century, courtesy of Twinkle Troughton and Aesthetica.