A De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) Fine Art graduate has won a prestigious art prize awarded in memory of legendary actor Richard Attenborough.
Sculptor Lis Naylor, who graduated from DMU earlier this year, won two prizes at the Leicester Society of Artists (LSA) Student Awards held at the New Walk Gallery and Museum.
As well as the Leicester Society of Artists Student Award, she also picked up the Attenborough Centre Prize, which celebrates emerging talent in visual arts.
While at DMU, Lis made five sculptures as part of her final year degree show. These were entered into the Leicester Society of Artists Student Award 2018 competition along with 80 students from all over Leicestershire.
Suzanne Harry, Present Chair of the Leicester Society of Artists, who was involved with the Student Award selection panel, explained the process: “We had a tremendous amount of applications which we sifted through. When we came up with a shortlist of 17 we met at the Cank Street Gallery in Leicester and looked at the shortlist.
“We thought that Lis Naylor's sculpture was absolutely stunning. It was moving actually and not just a sculpture, not just a static presence, but something that actually stirred you emotionally and I think that was what made us choose Lis's sculptures for the runner-up position on that.”
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Two of Lis’s sculptures were selected and are now on display at an exhibition at the New Walk Gallery and Museum from 8 November until 8 December.
Lis said: “I am absolutely delighted to be awarded this prize. The whole idea of the student award is that it's a bridge from student life into professional artistry and hopefully with the exhibition here it should launch us.”
On winning the Attenborough Centre prize, she said: “More people will be interested in the actual artwork and already it's achieved some acclaim because I’ve been awarded the Attenborough Prize which wouldn't have happened if it hadn't have been here.”
Jeremy Webster, Deputy Director Attenborough Arts Centre said: “Congratulations on receiving the most esteemed Attenborough Centre Award, we have always wanted to support talent locally through the LSA and the Open at New Walk Gallery and Museum.
“The Prize is a £50 voucher to spend in our shop, which does stock art materials. It was awarded for best use of materials and was selected by Sam West our curator. This prize is new and this is the first year we have done it. “
Posted on Friday 7 December 2018