Celebrating its eighth year, the 2014 Catlin Art Prize has been awarded to the emerging artist Neil Raitt. The prize which provides a platform to the UK’s most promising art graduates is curated by Justin Hammond.
Neil Raitt (triptich) Oil of Canvas. Image courtesy of the artist and Aaron Hammond
Neil Raitt, a Royal College of Art graduate, was announced the winner for a new body work including large-scale paintings influenced by the American landscape artist and television host, Bob Ross. Pait’s paintings make use of pattern and skewed perspective to meld distinct symbols of nature into mazes of abstraction. As the judge Mark Wallinger commented on Neil’s work “There is nothing superfluous. It is spare, determined, accomplished and knowing.”
Neil Raitt, Island, Oil on Canvas. Courtesy of the artist and Aaron Hammond
Central’s Saint Martin graduate, and lens-based artist, Lara Morrell was the favourite of visitors and named winner of the Visitor Vote. Over 2,000 votes were cast via the Art Catlin website and a ballot box at the venue.
Devotion, photographic print on aluminium. Courtesy of Lara Morell
Morrell’s project is heavily influenced by Catholic customs and religious festivals experienced by the artist while living in a remote village of southern Italy. A series of photographs depict headless figures built from hay, string and found objects gathered from the land , which represent Christ’s apostles, each bound by emblems of martyrdom.
San Giovanni, photographs on wood 120 x 80cm. Courtesy of Lara Morrell
by Xenia Founta
An exhibition showcasing the works by all the seven finalists continues until May 24 at Londonewcastle Project Space, E2 7DP
11am-6pm daily, Sundays noon-4pm