BA (Hons) Fine Art graduate Rex Southwick has won this years Aon Community Art Award, taking away the top prize of £5,000!
A panel of judges selected Rex’s work from over 100 pieces by students from Leeds Arts University, Glasgow School of Art and Manchester School of Art. The judging panel included the artist, Petroc Sesti, photographer Jon Barlow and curator, Christine Takengny and Katherine Conway, Head of Diversity, Inclusion and Community Affairs at Aon.
Image: Rex Southwick with artist and judge Petroc Sesti
Leeds Arts University graduates enjoyed further success, with Amelia Baron and Georgiana Naylor winning the residency award donated by Artists in Italy,which gives them the opportunity to spend 10 days in Tuscany to develop their art skills at a converted farmhouse studio.
Image:Amelia and Georgiana being presented their award by Michael Clare, Head of EMEA Retirement Business at Aon
Tomi Olopade also received a Highly Commended for his work, awarded for the first time this year.
Image: Tomi Olopade with his work
The awards were held at Aon’s global headquarters in London on 16 May 2019, and this is the third time that a graduate from Leeds Arts University has taken the top prize in the past four years.
As part of the awards evening a live auction of all of the graduates work took place. Full proceeds from the sales went to the graduates. Thirteen graduates from BA (Hons) Fine Art and BA (Hons) Photography were chosen to take part, with over 22 pieces from the artist sold on the night.
The Aon initiative has been supporting art students during their transition from undergraduates into professional life with all students involved invited to join a programme of workshops and events arranged by Aon to appreciate the commercial aspects of the art industry which includes legal and insurance advice as well as tips on accessing galleries to have their art exhibited.
