Ashurst-Emerging-Artist-Prize-Announces-Winning-Artists

International law firm Ashurst and Oaktree & Tiger Gallery are pleased to announce the winners of the first annual Ashurst Emerging Artist Prize.

The prize has been hugely successful in its first year receiving over 600 artworks entered by over 270 artists. The short list included artists from Europe, South America, Iran, China, South Africa, and North and Central America, working across a range of media including sculpture, digital, painting, photography, lithograph printing and oil painting.

The winning artist - Jessica Debba, is a self taught artist from London whose submission '24' - an arresting self portrait painted in oil on canvas - will see the artist receive £3,000 and a solo show at the Emerging Artist Gallery in Ashurst's London office between July and September.

The Employee's Choice Award, which invited Ashurst employees across the firm's international network of offices to vote on their favourite artwork, goes to Barbara Nati. Italian born Nati works in composite digital photography and received over 400 votes to win the £1,500 cash prize and a solo show in Ashurst's London offices.

Highly commended mentions go to artists Matt Alexander Ray, who shows great emerging talent with his small still life which is reminiscent of the works of old masters, and Sheffield based artist Sarah Sharpe whose bold black and white lithograph print is inspired by texts from past and present, and her relationship with her son.

The Ashurst Emerging Artist Prize is complemented with a series of ongoing talks providing practical guidance for artists which has seen enthusiastic attendance of up to 200 artists, a social media presence and blog offering advice tips and promoting all early entrants and the option for every entrant to request feedback.

Prize Director Conrad Cavalho said: "We are proud to have chosen very promising, talented artists as the 2015 winners who will benefit greatly from this prize. We look forward to supporting them with their career and will continue to offer advice to support all of this year's entrants"

Chairman of Ashurst, Ben Tidswell said: "We're delighted for both Jessica and Barbara, and hope that the awarding of these prizes represents a major milestone for them as emerging artists. We look forward to following their developing careers, and wish them and each of our shortlisted entrants all success for the future. I would also like to thank each of the judges, and particularly Anthony Clare the partner who has sponsored the competition at Ashurst, for their enthusiasm and commitment to the project."

The prize builds on the success of the Ashurst Emerging Artist initiative, launched in November 2013 to support and mentor up and coming artists and provide them with a platform to showcase their work.

For further details of the prize, please visit www.artprize.co.uk. The prize will also be supported through the Ashurst website and social media, including its Facebook page and twitter account (links available at www.artprize.co.uk).