Aesthetica Art Prize Exhibition 2017
26 May – 10 September, York Art Gallery
A platform for innovation and originality, the Aesthetica Art Prize Exhibition invited audiences to engage with captivating projects from some of today’s leading artists, both established and emerging. From individual narratives to global concerns, the artworks commented on contemporary culture and explored themes such as globalisation, perceptions of space and alienation in the digital age.
As the boundaries between the public and the private begin to merge into blurred depictions of reality, contemporary art is the mechanism that enables us to respond to a renewed understanding of living. The 2017 presentation featured the work of 16 shortlisted artists who hailed from diverse locations including Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Japan, the USA and the UK.
Utilising a range of media, they worked within the categories of Photographic & Digital Art; Painting, Drawing & Mixed Media; Three Dimensional Design & Sculpture. and Video, Installation & Performance. Images of 84 longlisted pieces were shown on monitors within the gallery – offering a unique chance for visitors to explore the breadth and diversity of work being produced across the world.
The 2017 Aesthetica Art Prize Winners
Adam Basanta
Main Art Prize Winner
Maryam Tafakory
Emerging Art Prize Winner
Explore the work of 2017’s Longlisted Artists.
Lunchtime Talks at York Art Gallery
Visitors could further their appreciation of contemporary art and enhance their experiences by attending talks held at the York Art Gallery. Led by artists, curators and academics they offered an insight into current themes in the art world.
Future Now: The Aesthetica Art Prize Shortlist
Friday 26 May
The 2017 finalists offered insight into their practices, by utilised photography, painting, sculpture and installation to address a range of contemporary themes from globalisation to technological advancement.
Navigating the Aesthetica Art Prize Exhibition
Thursday 8 June
Griselda Goldsbrough lead an engaging tour around the Aesthetica Art Prize Exhibition, identifying the various themes and techniques presented by the 2017 selection. The talk highlighted key modes of representation and interpretation used in the show.
Engaging with the Arts: Creativity and Wellbeing
Thursday 15 June
As part of the national initiative Creativity and Wellbeing Week 2017, Griselda Goldsbrough drew upon the works in this year’s Art Prize, exploring the different ways in which we could benefit from engaging with the arts throughout our lives.
Sculpture Today: Creation and Interpretation
Thursday 29 June
Artist and Lecturer in Sculpture at York St John University, Dr Joanna Sperryn-Jones discussed the state of contemporary sculpture and the process behind the creation of three-dimensional works. Addressing the pieces in the exhibition and her own creative process, she considered the role of audience participation in sculptural works.
Exhibition Practices: Curating for the 21st Century Audience
Thursday 27 July
Cherie Federico, Director of the Aesthetica Art Prize, shed light on exhibition practices and curating for the 21st century audience. Drawing upon the Art Prize, she discussed the symbiotic relationship between the space and the exhibits and how the works respond to each other.
Shortlisted Artists: Webb-Ellis Discuss Video Installation
Thursday 10 August
Working across film, installation and performance, Andrew and Caitlin Webb-Ellis discussed what it means to be human in these times and the shifting boundaries between the self and the other, by transforming personal experiences into multi-disciplinary environments that address the universal.