Paul Smith’s Foundation and Winsor & Newton Unite to Launch Groundbreaking International Art Prize
May 15, 2024
In an unprecedented collaboration, Paul Smith's Foundation has partnered with the iconic art materials company Winsor & Newton to launch an international art prize that will support and empower early career artists working in painting and drawing. This free-to-enter initiative will celebrate emerging talents across six major cities worldwide: Tokyo, Hong Kong, London, Paris, New York, and Los Angeles.
The Open Call will see six extraordinary artists, each within the first decade of their careers, selected by esteemed industry representatives in their respective cities. These judges bring a wealth of experience and diverse perspectives to the selection process:
- César García-Alvarez (Los Angeles), Founding Executive & Artistic Director of The Mistake Room, has curated exhibitions with notable artists and served as US Commissioner of the Cairo Biennial.
- Aaina Bhargava (Hong Kong), Arts and Culture Editor of Tatler Asia, contributes to various art publications and has extensive experience working with institutions in Asia and the UK.
- Jeanne Greenberg Rohatyn (New York), founder of Salon 94 and Salon 94 Design, is a renowned gallerist, art advisor, and curator who sits on the boards of White Columns and Performa.
- Kyoko Hattori (Tokyo), Vice President at PACE, played a key role in establishing Phillips as a top global auction house in Japan and sits on the Board of FWD Group.
- Ekow Eshun (London), curator, writer, broadcaster, and Chair of London's Fourth Plinth, has authored several books and contributed to catalogue essays for prominent artists.
- Fabien Vallerian (Paris), International Director of Arts & Culture at Ruinart, has worked with numerous designers and artists, promoting the links between Ruinart and the art world.
Each winning artist will receive a generous monetary donation from Paul Smith's Foundation and up to £1,000 worth of premium materials of their choosing from Winsor & Newton to create a new masterpiece. The artworks will be prominently displayed for sale in specially selected Paul Smith stores, chosen for their prime locations, high foot traffic, and proximity to art-centric areas.
The winners will retain 100% of the proceeds from the sale of their work and be invited to attend an intimate dinner hosted by Sir Paul Smith at the prestigious Mount St Restaurant in London. Travel and accommodation expenses will be generously funded by Winsor & Newton. Additionally, the artists will be featured in a captivating short film commissioned by Winsor & Newton, to be released in November 2024.
Helly Summerly, Winsor & Newton's Global Brand Director, expressed the company's honor in partnering with Paul Smith's Foundation, emphasizing their shared ethos of supporting artists and giving back to the artistic community. With a history dating back to 1832 and a royal warrant that has endured since 1841, Winsor & Newton's legacy of innovation and experimentation aligns seamlessly with the prize's theme of "Finding Inspiration Everywhere."
For decades, Sir Paul Smith has championed art and artists, from a 20-year scholarship with the Royal Academy Schools to a collection of over 10,000 works of art exhibited in stores worldwide. The W&N x PSF Art Prize marks the first international art project from Paul Smith's Foundation, working with leading global voices in the sector to establish a new program of support and build networks for artists in their local areas.
As the art world eagerly awaits the unveiling of the winning artists and their creations, the impact of this collaborative endeavor between Paul Smith's Foundation and Winsor & Newton cannot be understated. By championing emerging talents and providing them with unrivaled support and visibility, this international art prize is set to redefine the trajectory of countless artistic careers, leaving an indelible mark on the global art scene.
Applications open on Monday, May 13, and close at midnight on Sunday, June 30. Artists can submit their entries via the provided link.
