Dependence, 2019
The Young Masters Art Prize
A group show of contemporary artists paying homage to art of the past.
The artworks submitted to the Young Masters Art Prize have used history and craftsmanship as their starting point. The anthropomorphic nature of these vessels leaving the viewer to puzzle out their relationship. The matte bas-relief carvings recall Wedgwood’s Portland Vase while the chained urns are a nod to secured teapot lids and Staffordshire Dogs, one of which is carved into the sealed neoclassical urn nearby.
Carved into the flanking urns are images from popular culture and art history, emojis meeting sculpture by way of memes. Desire and abuse of power are key themes. Apollo flaying Marsyas shares the urn with a Tom of Finland fantasy of police brutality. A Tagame anime figure is suspended within a Japanese inspired Oil Slick glaze, with the dull shine of polished leather. The tactile quality of the unglazed chains encourage the viewer to try on the harness, igniting feelings of restraint, protection and vulnerability.
‘The Young Masters Art Prize is a not-for-profit international art initiative, founded in 2009 by gallerist Cynthia Corbett, owner of The Cynthia Corbett Gallery. This unique platform aims to offer global visibility and support to emerging artists of any gender, age, or nationality, working in any media.
This renowned, innovative and high-profile prize is a biannual award, which recognises how contemporary artists embrace the art of the past. In 2014, the Young Masters Maylis Grand Ceramics Prize was developed to celebrate excellence in contemporary ceramics.’
Cynthia Corbett Gallery
Founder: Cynthia Corbett
Prize: Young Masters Art Prize
Curators and Judges: Anastasia Lander, Cynthia Corbett, Lindsay Dewar, Lucia Iachetti, Dr Chris Blatchley, Dr Virginie Lerouge Knight, Frances Hedges, Jill Berelowitz, Marine Tanguy, Shiro, Godfrey Barker, Jean Wainwright, Lady Harriet Bridgeman CBE, Preston Fitzgerald, Maylis Grand, Stephen Feeke, Daniella Wells, Davina Weir-Willats, Simon Martin
Young Masters Art Prize Finalists 2019: Alberto Torres Hernandez, Amanda McCavour, Benjamin M Johnson, Charlie Spot, Crystal Latimer, Dipali Gupta, Eduardo Recife, Elle Kaye, Eliza Gosse, Foster White, Giggs Kgole, June August, Keith Maddy, Larry Amponsah, Renata Kudlacek, Ruth Chambers, Soojin Kim, Susanne Kamps, Tami Bahat, Yusa Yalçintas
Young Masters Maylis Grand Ceramics Prize Finalists 2019: Albert Montserrat, Amberlea McNaught, Anne Athena, Anne Gibbs, Catalina Vial, Connor Coulston, Elin Hughes, Hanna Hyving, Heidi Bjørgan, Ikuko Iwamoto, Kay Aplin, Ling Chun, Nuala O'Donovan, Rebecca Appleby, William Martin
Photographer: Cristina Schek
Venue: The Royal Opera Arcade, London