Thurso artist's delight over Highland Art Prize accolade – 'I honestly can't believe it'
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A young Thurso artist said she could not believe that her painting was "highly commended" as a runner up in the 2023 Highland Art Prize.
Leah Davis, a member of the Society of Caithness Artists (SCA), attended the glitzy award ceremony in Glasgow's Briggait art centre last Friday along with SCA chairman Ian Pearson.
"I am absolutely delighted. I honestly can't believe it," said Leah.
"The show was filled with such high quality art and mine was awarded runner up 'Highly Commended'. Bessie – the name the painting has been affectionately known by – was the first finished piece in my new series. So, this has given me a little spring in my paint brush while working on the next couple of pieces. My plan is to take some time out to paint enough for another solo show. Watch this space."
Leah sent a "massive well done" to the winner David Greenall and all of the artists in the show. "It was a show to be proud of," added Leah.
SCA chair Ian Pearson also attended the prize-giving event at the Briggait and said: "Five SCA artists had work on show along with 69 others and two, Leah Davis and Jackie Newton, made it through to the final 12.
Ian was with Leah at the award ceremony when she learned that she had been awarded the highly commended prize. The 2023 Highland Art Prize winner was David Greenall from An Lanntair/Open Studios Hebrides with his work Crofts at South Dell and it was announced by competition judge Ishbel Murray. Ishbel explained how she was attracted by Leah’s entry in that it was "so different from the others" and the face looked "somewhat sad amongst the flowers, posing the question why".
Ian explained that the SCA has over 100 members who all have opportunities to show off their talents to a wider audience and thanked the organisers of the Highland Art Prize together with their sponsors to allow "such creativeness to flourish in this way".
He added: "Sixteen art societies entered work by members of their respective organisations and the exhibition was a great opportunity for the Society of Caithness Artists to learn techniques how best to promote arts. Next year's competition will take place in Oban."
The prize-giving was attended by many of the 74 artists who had submitted artworks to the prestigious competition. Welcoming everyone to The Briggait, Audrey Carlin (CEO, Wasps Studios) said: “It is Wasps’ pleasure to host the Highland Art Prize this year, and be in a position to host 2022 Highland Art Prize winner David Page’s stunning exhibition.
"The Briggait has been bristling with colour and energy. We were delighted with such a strong turnout on the day, making the Highland Art Prize announcement all the more enjoyable. Congratulations to our winner and to all entrants. The quality and diversity of works has been extraordinary. It seems that the Highland Art Prize has a bright future.”
Announcing the winner of the 2023 Highland Art Prize, Ishbel Murray commented that: “David Greenall’s artwork captures the atmospheric essence of this crofting location by the sea through a highly sensitive use of colour involving the demanding method of blending pigment and wax to achieve a shimmering effect in an image that has been beautifully reduced to its essential elements.”
The winning artist receives £1000 (to be shared with their local art organisation), plus an exhibition opportunity at the Briggait in Glasgow, courtesy of Wasps, a charity and social enterprise that provides studio spaces to artists and creators across Scotland. The 2023 Highland Art Prize was also supported by Renfrewshire Council and Bòrd na Gàidhlig.
Other Caithness artists that had works in the competition but did not make the final shortlist included Euan Ferrier, Debbie Lee and Shelagh Swanson.
