ARTIST Tabitha Moses was last night named as the winner of the 2013 Liverpool Art Prize in an award ceremony at the Albert Dock.
Her work and that of three other shortlisted artists - Julieann O’Malley, Laurence Payot and Kevin Hunt – is currently on display in the Grand Hall until Saturday June 8.
Afterwards, she said: “I can’t quite believe I’ve won. This is the first time I’ve ever created work that directly references my own personal experiences, and I’m very glad that I did. I would urge all Liverpool artists to apply for the prize in future as it’s an amazing experience.”
Inspired by the Turner Prize coming to Liverpool during the European Capital of Culture year in 2008, the Liverpool Art Prize is managed by the city’s Metal gallery at Edge Hill Station and open to all professional artists.
In addition to the main prize, Moses, a former TV costume superviser who worked on the likes of Unforgiven and Alan Bleasedale's underrated Jake's Progress, also won the People’s Choice Award. This year it was dedicated to Liverpool artist Joe Bampton who died in the Luxor hot-air balloon tragedy in February. This is the first time that one of the four shortlisted artists has won both prizes.
Judge Robyn Woolston last year’s winner, is currently presenting her own exhibition at the Walker Art Gallery, ‘Stranger in a Strange Land’, which comprises several bales of rubbish.
Tabitha MosesShe said: “Judging has provided a fascinating journey over the past year, marking a transition from entrant to evaluator. Primarily it's provided the opportunity to consider deeply the contribution made across outputs, practices and presentations from each of the short-listed artists. It has been a privilege and an education.”
Although fabric and stitch are central to Moses' practice, her works take many forms. "Craft processes combine with conceptual rigour and emotional depth in response to people, places, spaces and things".
Moses was born in Liverpool and spent the 1970s making things and reading stories. After a career in TV she took an MA in textiles and turned to art.
As the overall winner of the Liverpool Art Prize she will receive £2,000. She will also receive £1,000 as her prize for winning the People’s Choice Award.
Previous Liverpool Art Prize winners include Imogen Stidworthy, AL and AL, David Jacques and Marcus Soukup.
