Announcing the Rise Art Prize Winners

The Rise Art Prize exhibition has kicked off with a bang (and many a Patron Tequila cocktail). Artists and judges came from all corners of the world to celebrate at our launch party and awards ceremony at House of Vans in London. 

Members of our final panel admiring Heja Rahiminia's Looking for Utopia: Refugees series.

Our global judging panel, featuring 9 acclaimed artists - including Gavin Turk, Fiona Banner and Richard Wilson - and renowned curators and arts journalists, viewed the works in person on the night. After much deliberation, the judges cast their votes... and we're proud to announce the following winning artists.

Lebohang Kganye, South Africa

Global artist of the year

Presented by YBA Gavin Turk.

Ke ile ka tswela pele ka ho tereka a ntse a bua by Lebohang Kganye

Beatrice Hodgkin, Deputy Editor of the FT How to Spend It Magazine, describes Lebohang's work as "poetic manipulation". "Her work," says Beatrice, "presents a clever dialogue on how we adapt nostalgic memory and truth."

Gina Soden, UK

Patrón Tequila UK Artist of the Year

Presented by YBA Gavin Turk.

PHOTOGRAPHY AWARD

Selected by famed photographer David Bailey and presented by Head of Exhibitions at Turner Contemporary Sarah Martin.

YBA Gavin Turk with double winner Gina Soden.

Tom Waugh, UK

People's Choice Award

Presented by Serge DeNimes Founder Oliver Proudlock.

Sculpture Award

Chosen and presented by two-time Turner Prize nominee Richard Wilson (RA).

Tom Waugh with his sculpture series on exhibition.

Tom's sculpture series reminded YBA Gavin Turk of his own work - high praise indeed.

Kristjana Williams, UK

Illustration Award

Chosen and presented by Hunger Magazine Editor Holly Fraser.

Austur Robin London 2016 by Kristjana Williams

Claire Meadows of After Nyne magazine comments: "Kristjana’s work is everything I look for in contemporary illustration. Aside from being technically brilliant, her use of colour for impact as second to none. I will be keeping a very close eye on her progress from here."

Nelson Makamo, South Africa

Drawing Award

Chosen and presented by Deputy Editor of FT How to Spend It Magazine Beatrice Hodgkin.

Beauty by Nelson Makamo

For regional judge Nina Mahdavi finds Nelson's drawings "both moving and flawless". She continues, "I personally love drawings and find that it’s important to keep this craft alive. It brings an authenticity to the work that is often overlooked in the sea of contemporary art". 

Naomi Edmondson, UK

Street Art Award

Chosen and presented by renowned urban artist Ben Eine.

I Am the Size of What I See by Naomi Edmondson

Natasha Kumar, UK

Print Award

Chosen by acclaimed artist Harland Miller and presented by curator/writer Fatoş Üstek.

Indian Woman #Red Diya by Natasha Kumar

Emily Moore, UK

Painting Award

Chosen and presented by esteemed contemporary painter Antony Micallef.

Emily Moore with her piece, Dreams of Rooftop Pools at Sonar.

For acclaimed contemporary painter, Antony Micallef, Emily's artwork is a "visually already complete piece. It knows what it is".

UK Young Artists of the Year

ELEANOR DENTON, UNDER 18 WINNER

WILLIAM DUNHILL TURNER, UNDER 18 RUNNER UP

SERENNA COPSEY, UNDER 12 WINNER

AMY SMITH, UNDER 12 RUNNER UP

Under 12 runner up Amy Smith and her family.

A big thank you goes out to all the finalists and judges who helped along the way. Also, a special thank you to Flight Logistics/ShipArt for their support of the event as the Official Shipping Partner of the Rise Art Prize.

Some snaps from the launch party and awards ceremony...

Lily Allen enjoying the party.

Gavin Turk contemplating an artwork.

From left: Ben Eine, Lauren Baker, Rebecca Mason and Elizabeth Waggett in front of one of Lauren's neon installations.

Hanging out in Tunnel 2.