The ACS Studio Prize was established in 2017 to help support the next generation of artists after a number of our members spoke of the economic challenges they faced when starting their artistic careers. ACS realises how difficult it is to focus on your art, especially after leaving university and in the recent times of uncertainty. ACS has once again partnered with Gurr Johns International, a global independent art advisory and appraisal group, to offer this year’s finalists the opportunity to take part in a group show at Gurr Johns. The exhibition will take place in their St James’s first-floor gallery between 1 October – 4 October 2024.⁣

This year the judges were pop artist and Royal Academician Allen Jones, artist and Director of the Royal Academy Schools Eliza Bonham Carter, artist and art patron Rosamond Brown and the Chairman of ACS, Lady Bridgeman.

Sculptor Marco Miehling was awarded the inaugural Prize in 2017 by judges Tim Marlow, Artistic Director of the Royal Academy, and Maggi Hambling CBE. In 2018, painter Rebecca Harper received the Prize from celebrated artists Eileen Cooper RA and Rob & Nick Carter. Artist Cathie Pilkington RA and the Director & Curator of the Ingram Collection, Jo Baring decided to award the prize to Araminta Blue Wieloch. In 2020 ACS members painter Celia Paul, and pioneering contemporary artist Gavin Turk awarded the Prize to multidisciplinary artist Dion Kitson. In 2021, ACS member Paul Huxley RA and Bob and Roberta Smith OBE RA awarded the Prize to University of West England (UWE Bristol) graduate Dorcas Casey. In 2022, renowned artist and ACS member Flora Yukhnovich, founder and curator of the Palazzo Monti, Edoardo Monti awarded the Prize to Royal Drawing School post-graduate David Gardner.

Last year, celebrated YBA and ACS member Mat Collishaw, the Director of Pallant House Gallery, Simon Martin and the Chairman of ACS, Lady Bridgeman awarded the Prize to Royal Academy Schools post-graduate Clara Hastrup. An artist whose work spans across a variety of media combining analogue and digital technologies.

Congratulations to all of the artists shortlisted for this year’s ACS Studio Prize:

Irini Bachlitzanaki, Royal Academy Schools

Richard Burton, Royal College of Art

Thomas Cameron, City & Guilds of London Art School

Elizabeth Dimitroff, Royal College of Art

Joshua Donkor, Cardiff Metropolitan School of Art and Design

Lewis Graham, University of Worcester

Lily Hargreaves, Royal College of Art

Olivia Hawkswell, Liverpool John Moores University

Andrew Maughan, Royal Academy Schools

Lindsey Jean McLean, Slade School of Fine Art

Celia Maria Mora Garcia, Royal College of Art

Elena Njoabuzia Onwochei-Garcia, Glasgow School of Art

Blythe Plenderleith, Royal College of Art

Claudia Pons Bohman, Royal College of Art

Daniel Rey, Central Saint Martins

Afonso Rocha, City & Guilds of London Art School

Jen Roper, City & Guilds of London Art School

Amanda Seibaek, Glasgow School of Art

Beth Simcock, The Ruskin School of Art

Lily Snowden-Fine, Royal Drawing School

Oliver Williamson, Royal Drawing School

We look forward to the judges announcing the finalists and winner of the ACS Studio Prize 2024 in due course.