Guthrie and Pope. © the artists

Four artists have been short listed for the first Northern Art Prize, the new prize for contemporary artists of any age living in the North West, North East and Yorkshire.

The selected four are Eric Bainbridge, a sculptor born in 1955 and based in Hartlepool; Tim Brennan, an artist who works in manoeuvres and interventions and is based in Sunderland; photographic artist Dan Holdsworth, born 1974 and based in Darlington; and film art duo, Karen Guthrie and Nina Pope, born 1970 and 1968, based in Coniston and Coniston/London respectively.

Work by the shortlisted four will go on show at Leeds Art Gallery from November 22 2007 until February 10 2008.

Dan Holdsworth, Hyperborea 6. © Dan Holdsworth

“We are really pleased with our first shortlist and feel that a wide range of artists and practices are represented,” said Pippa Hale, Director of the Northern Art Prize.

“I would like to thank the selectors for their enthusiasm and support and look forward to seeing the exhibition later this autumn.”

24 artists based in a variety of cities and towns in the North - from Sheffield to Newcastle - were nominated by 12 leading curators from the North West, the North East and Yorkshire before going before a judging panel chaired by Nigel Walsh, curator of exhibitions at Leeds Art Gallery.

Examples of the sculptural work of Eric Bainbridge. © Eric Bainbridge

The rest of the panel comprised the artist and 2001 Turner Prize winner Martin Creed, Ann Gallagher, Head of Collection (British Art) Tate, Tom Lubbock, art writer for The Independent, and the art collector and independent curator Greville Worthington.

“It has been fascinating to see the progress of the Northern Art Prize which has arrived at an exciting time for the cultural life of the North of England, and in particular for Leeds which has the honour of hosting the Prize exhibition in the fitting splendour of the city's refurbished Art Gallery,” said Cllr John Procter, Executive Board Member for Leisure, Leeds City Council.

“In recent years, we have seen a renaissance in northern cities and in the cultural infrastructure and it is timely for the Northern Art Prize to celebrate the artists that will help them continue to thrive."

Tim Brennan courtesy Spacex Gallery

The winner will be announced on January 17 2008 and receive £16,5000. Each of the three runners up will receive £1,500. Based in Leeds the prize has received financial backing from Arup designers, Logistik Ltd and Leeds City Council.