The Drawing Year 2023
Still looking for that last-minute holiday gift and have a couple hundred ££ to spare? Then get yerself down to The Royal Drawing School in Shoreditch, which is showcasing more than 400 works by 28 students at can’t-be-beat emerging artist prices ranging from £70 - £4,000. Anecdotally, most of the work I saw was under £500 with many, many pieces going for £200 or less.
The works shown range from traditional observational studies — the foundation of the school’s teachings — through to some highly emotive works that show a clear and distinct artist view/voice. There’s also a few vitrines filled with the artists’ sketchbooks. I could flip through artist sketchbooks for hours on end!
Eight different prizes were awarded, including a new award from Christie’s (@christiesinc) of £15k to support a year of creative development and production, culminating in a solo exhibition at the Royal Drawing School. That top prize went to Louis Pohl Koseda (@lalit_madhav_).
But before seeing the list of winners I explored the show and picked my own eight favourites. Turns out that three of them won four of the awards (🏅). I’m not sure how the judges missed the other five though!
Had I been on the panel, here’s who’d be on the wall:
1-2= Jesse Ajilore — @jesseajilore 🏅
3-4 = Alina Dieth — @alina.dieth
5-6 = Ned Elliott — @ned_elli0tt 🏅
7-8 = Ellie Lonsdale — @ramen_legs
9 = Chi Park — @chihpark
10-11 = Lilith Piper — @lilithpiperdrawings
12 = Tess Tomassini — @tesstomassini
13-14 = Olly Williamson — @omw_painting 🏅🏅
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The Royal Drawing School was founded in 2000 by HM King Charles III and artist Catherine Goodman. It’s an independent, not-for-profit resource that offers full scholarships to every student that attends the 15-month post-graduate course. Attendance is awarded on talent. No public funds are used.
Bonus photos
Venue shots & vitrines
Plan your visit
‘The Drawing Year 2023’ runs until 19 December.
Visit royaldrawingschool.org and follow @royaldrawingschool on Instagram for more info about the school and venue.
Artist information can be obtained via the Instagram links in the article.
PLUS…
Check the What’s On page so you don’t miss any other great shows closing soon.
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