Newbury College art student Finn Swift won the Young Persons' prize for an Open Exhibition, entitled The Four Seasons, at Southampton City Art Gallery.
Finn was one of many artists who submitted their work as part of the gallery's biennial open submission exhibition. The gallery invited artists in the South of England to take inspiration from the changing nature of the seasons. Newbury College art and design course leaders set the exhibition brief as an assignment for the students to complete towards their Level 3 Diploma in Art and Design. Course leader Jacky Purtill and student Evelyn Pritchett also had work displayed at the exhibition.
Finn's winning artwork was an intricate 3D printed model of trees and vines entitled Seasons'. The gallery wrote to Finn describing his work as a fine, complex, intriguing and beautiful sculpture'. His prize was a 12 month subscription to the National Art Pass, giving Finn free access to over 240 museums, galleries and historic houses.
I was shocked but very pleased to discover I had won, said Finn. I enjoy working in this media and like how much detail you can incorporate into the design. The lecturers at College were very good at encouraging and supporting me once I'd generated the idea and I was also happy to receive a distinction for this project as part of my course.
We are very proud of Finn, said Sarah Whittham, art and design course leader at Newbury College. It is such an achievement for him to be awarded first prize in such a prestigious gallery.
The exhibition is open at Southampton City Art Gallery until 21 April, Monday to Friday 10am-3pm, Saturdays 10am to 5pm. Entry is free. Click here for more information visit.
Newbury College offers full-time Art and Design courses from Level 2 to Higher National Diploma and many part-time painting and drawing leisure courses. To find out more, visit its Open Event on Saturday 12 May 10am to 1pm.