Main sponsor Paul Hyland of chartered accountants Duncan Sheard Glass presented a cheque for £2000 to Stidworthy, who beat off competition from four other shortlisted artists.
Stidworthy focuses on aspects of communication and looks at how language occupies public and private spaces, and uses it as a sculptural material to explore relationships between body, voice and subject. She often focusses on situations where something has disturbed the connection between word and meaning, or between one person and another.
A People’s Choice award went to the painter twins, Amrit and Rabindra Singh who were given a cheque for £500 by the award sponsor Arthur Diamond. Over 440 votes were cast by visitors to the gallery in just 10 days since the exhibition opened.
“We are really thrilled and proud,” said Ian Jackson. “The exhibition looks fantastic thanks to the artists, curator Tomas Harold, and the wonderful venue. It’s been a great success so far and we offer our congratulations to the winners and sincere thanks to all the artists.”
All mid-career professionals who are currently establishing themselves on an international level, the artists all are working in extremely diverse practices, from surround-sound installations to Indian miniature painting, and have made significant achievements in the past few years.
“We look forward to many years of organising this major annual art event here in Liverpool,” added Jackson, “and hope that it is something that all Merseyside-based artists will aspire to be a part of.”
Jackson's website artinliverpool.com is an online resource for the Liverpool art scene. Although independent and self-funded it has close links to Liverpool Culture Company, Arts Council NW, and Liverpool Biennial.
The exhibition and prize acknowledges the outstanding achievements of the artists and their contribution to contemporary art within Liverpool, as well as further afield. It aims to promote national awareness and discussion of contemporary art in the city and to support individual artists in developing their practices.
The exhibition continues at the Contemporary Urban Centre until May 7 2008.
