Quay Arts is delighted to announce the 2021 Open prize winner is Ventnor artist, Paul Woods (aka Paradox Paul).
The selection panel were unanimous in selecting Paul based upon his Open entries and wider body of thought-provoking and idiosyncratic work. We look forward to supporting Paul with a 2022 Quay Arts West gallery solo show.
A group exhibition
An additional prize of a 2020 West group exhibition was awarded to the following Freedom Open exhibitors:
- Fran Farrar
- David Hamilton
- Lisa Heath,
- Charles Inge
- Shaun Martin
- Jill Wilkinson
The group show will expand upon their Freedom Open works.
The Freedom Open
The prize giving event was attended by Freedom Open exhibitors and Quay Arts Trustees and staff, with live piano accompaniment from musician Tom Nuckley.
With the title and theme ‘Freedom’, artworks in the OPEN exhibition explored ideas centred around freedoms or lack of. The exhibition featured sculpture, painting, print, textiles, photography and drawing.
Looking forward to amusing, amazing and/or challenging visitors
The prize for the overall winner Paul Woods is a solo exhibition at Quay Arts in the West Gallery in 2022.
“I’m very pleased to be awarded a solo show at the Island’s most prestigious gallery space. I look forward to working with the Quay Arts crew towards an exhibition designed to amuse, amaze and/or challenge visitors.
“David Bowie said ‘Go a little bit out of your depth. When you don’t feel that your feet are quite touching the bottom, you’re just about in the right place to do something exciting.'”
Paul has a unique shop in Ventnor – ‘Paradox Island’, that features original recycling art by Paul, an award-winning model-maker, including sculptures, figurines, pictures and “things not so easy to describe”.
Quay Arts Open
The Selection Panel included Rachel Johnston (Open 2019 Winner), the Arts Team at Quay Arts: Eugene Dugan-Brause, Ian Whitmore and Georgia Newman.
The Freedom Open featured 34 artists and 45 artworks.
Previous Open Exhibition winners include: Rachel Johnston (2019 – Open ‘A Life in Nature’); Caroline Underwood (2017 – Open ‘I must down to the seas again); Joanna Kori (2015 – Open); Holly Cade and Liz Sterry (2013 – Open ‘Duet’); Katayoun Dowlatshahi (2010/11 – Open); and Julian Rowe (2008 – Open ‘Location’).
News shared by Hannah on behalf of Quay Arts. Ed
