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| Some highlights from the 2007 Awards
In every artform our judges give one or more Outstanding Awards. These are the highest awards we offer. Each one comes with a prize of £100 for the winner.
Here is a small selection of the Outstanding Award winners from 2007 - together with comments from the artists.
Pastels
Matchstick Modelling
Textiles & Fashion
Pottery
Watercolour
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Pastels
The Nadfas Outstanding Award
for Pastels, 2007
“I had been reacquainting myself with chalk pastels after many years absence. I wanted to do a ‘portrait’ of the eagle buzzard in the manner of a traditional ‘human’ portrait. I see in the raptor an aloofness; a quality captured by artists when portraying people in authority. Or is it the detachment of an evolved killer?
Any recognition is a great motivator, but to be awarded a prize in such a prestigious competition is fantastic. It has encouraged me to continue developing my arts practice.”
Outstanding Award
for Pastels, 2007
“I was trying to show that when an incident occurs on the wing the atmosphere can suddenly change from a pleasant one to one buzzing with excitement for all the wrong reasons
I was given confidence by my work receiving recognition outside of the art class. It gave me something to be proud about. It encouraged me to continue with my artwork and see it as something to take further.”
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Matchstick Models
Outstanding Award for Matchstick Models, 2007
“I started to make this chess set soon after I was sentenced to life. My head was in bits as I’m sure others were. I had been reading a lot about Buddhism and meditation, how monks made intricate sand designs as part of their meditation practice. I decided to simulate this in matchstick form. The choice of making a chess set was simply because I’d played it all my life and was good and could utilise the end product. I made a piece per month from solid blocks of matches, 32 in all plus a few months for the board, sat crossed legged on the floor carving with a razor blade. Approximately ten thousand matches were used. After the first few pieces I was regretting ever starting it. I would say that with all the drudgery of prison life it is nice to be recognised for the time and effort . . . in a positive way.”
Outstanding Award for Matchstick & Mixed Media Models, 2007
“The butterfly has been an on-going theme for several years and when I created ‘Flight of Fancy’, my thoughts were of when I was a child, I would catch butterflies to have a close look at their shapes and wonderful colour markings. Then I would release them and watch them fly away.
When I found out that I had won a Koestler prize, I couldn’t wait to show my certificate to all my family and friends. Also the cheque was very useful!” |
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Textiles & Fashion
Outstanding Award for Fashion, 2007
“When I see something that inspires me that really engages my interest all my worries and woes are forgotten and I emerge refreshed and relaxed.
I was so happy when I won the 2007 Koestler prize. I didn’t know that I had a creative part in me and that pushes me a bit further.” |
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Pottery
Outstanding Award for Pottery, 2007
“[The piece] was constructed by the very basic coil method. So, like Grayson, it was a dig at the high flyers; look it really is that easy. The art work was all about my love of needlework and my O level Art in 1971 and then nothing in between till this, and more importantly about a programme on TV about Grayson Perry which inspired me to open my eyes to life.
The money was great. I made contact with my grandson for the first time in November 2007 aged 7. I was able to buy him a Christmas present and subsequently a birthday present. I would not have been able to before. One other thing; it made me realise I do have a talent I should develop.” |
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Watercolour
Outstanding Award for Watercolour, 2007
“I tried to express the stark realty of life in prison. I chose to depict the exercise yard in HMP Bristol and some of the characters I knew and had witnessed. The strong overpowering red-bricked walls, the feeling that everything you do is watched, the monotony and the futility that I felt – but also the odd game of cards, some guys accepting where they were – not stressed at all by being there, some even enjoying it. At the time – early in my sentence, I felt no hope or joy – the only things I looked forward to (if that’s the right word) were being locked up so I could draw or going out in the totally un-stimulating exercise yard. This was my life now.
Winning the prize was totally unexpected. A number of guys had convinced me to send some of my ‘works’ in to the competition. I had never had time in my life for ‘art’, although I had always appreciated it in various forms, but didn’t understand a lot of the ‘arty’ talk associated. I hadn’t been able to go to art school because of other more academic routes I was pushed into.
In my first year at HMP Bristol I was lucky enough to meet an art tutor who encouraged me in my exploration of art. I spent that year almost non-stop drawing, painting, using pastels, charcoal; anything I could get my hands on (having started with a biro and lined paper). I loved the escape I felt – time for once became meaningless as I immersed myself in art. I took all the books out of the library, borrowed some off tutors, canned newspapers, supplements – anything – for images, patterns, colours and so on. Moving to Dartmoor continued and was informed I’d won. I hated what I’d done to end up in prison and felt worthless with no hope for the future. So little was positive but winning gave me a much needed ‘kick up the backside’. I realised that I can do something positive and felt thrilled that my work was to be displayed in the ICA. To have been judged by such esteemed artists as being worthwhile for inclusion meant so much to me. My parents made the trip to London for the opening and reported back to me – with a few photos. I felt chuffed to bits and it had really helped me focus positively on the future – in prison and eventually outside too.
Without Art I can honestly say I wouldn’t be here now. Winning has meant so much – from the encouragement to keep going, developing and learning – to taking that creativity into my everyday life – both now and in the future.” |
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