Contemporary Open 2014 Winner Announced

An exclusive awards ceremony and exhibition opening at Exeter Phoenix last night saw Hannah Murgatroyd announced as the recipient of the prestigious £1000 award for Exeter Contemporary Open 2014. The artist, who recently returned to the UK after years working in Berlin said, ‘I’m thrilled. It means so much just to be part of this exhibition, which has a fantastic reputation. I’m delighted to have won.’

‘I Would Not Know Who I Am’ by Hannah Murgatroyd

The Additional Award of £500 was given to Barcelona-born Robert Cervera who’s work explores encounters (real or imagined) between our bodies and the structures that surround us, particularly physical structures such as walls, enclosures and buildings.  He said ‘with just seven other artists exhibited, the opportunity to show my work is the best prize.  The exhibition is curated very carefully with great attention to detail, which is very attractive for an artist. The fact I also won an award is the cherry on the cake!’

‘Cure (Elbow)’ and ‘Cure (Forearm)’ by Robert Cervera

This year’s Exeter Contemporary Open exhibition is open to the public from 13 September to 2 November. It presents a range of work in which popular culture, advertising, notions of beauty and the body are just some of the subjects explored. Although not chosen to create a theme, unintended connections and synergies seem to form when the art is brought together.

Now in its tenth year, Exeter Contemporary Open has become one of the highlights of the South West’s arts calendar.  Sponsored by Haines Watts Chartered Accountants, it is providing an important national platform for contemporary visual artists. Ben de Cruz, Managing Partner of the firm said, ‘The exhibition this year is quite amazing and the overall quality of the work continues to grow. Exeter Contemporary Open has become a major art event in the area and we are delighted to continue to be involved in supporting the arts in the South West.’

A further Audience Chioice award, voted for by visitors to the gallery, will be announced on the 21st October.  The Exeter Contemporary Open also received generous support from media partner The Big Issue and St Austell’s who provided wine for the exhibition opening.