Culture is the lifeblood of London: the winners of the Evening Standard Art Prize revealed

Congratulations to artist Iman Sidonie-Samuels, recipient of a £5,000 prize and a bespoke Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle fragrance
Lucy Young
6 October 2023

Art can be a lonely occupation, say the judges of the Evening Standard Art Prize – but for one warm September evening at least, it was a glittering and social affair.

A dozen artists shortlisted for the award mingled with guests at a buzzy ceremony in elegant South Kensington gallery Cromwell Place, buoyed by the experience of sharing their work with esteemed guests and judges.

Working with everything from contemporary stained glass and hand-forged steel to coppiced wood and tufted wool, artists have responded to the competition theme of A Portrait of You with a mix of vulnerability, ingenuity and energy.

A dazzling array of artistic styles

Introducing the shortlisted artists and judges of the Evening Standard Art Prize 2023
Lucy Young

“It’s a difficult thing to be an artist,” says Helen Nisbet, CEO and artistic director of gallery Cromwell Place, which hosted the awards and exhibition. “It’s daunting to make a leap and submit a piece, but the visibility you get is galvanising.”

From stained glass artist John Reyntiens, who first learned his craft from his father, to Ruth Richmond, whose home on a Suffolk sheep farm inspired her to reflect upon landscapes and nature, all of the shortlisted artists had interpreted self-portraiture with intimate and revealing works.

Telling stories in creative ways

Artists Joseph Ijoyemi, right, and John Reyntiens, centre, discuss the former’s exquisite metal origami boats
Lucy Young

All of the artists were on hand during the lively event to talk about why and how they work.

Attention focused during the evening upon Joseph Ijoyemi’s exquisite origami boats, forged from metal salvaged from the Cutty Sark.

“It’s like a fantastic human experiment,” says judge and acclaimed ceramicist Bisila Noha. “People have used materials in such creative and compelling ways to tell their stories.”

This Evening Standard Art Prize in association with Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle invited entries from artists who work in media such as textiles, glass, wood, ceramics and more, and drew hundreds of submissions.

“You can almost feel the physical effort; the fingerprints; the artist’s physical presence in this self-portraiture,” says Nisbet.

Creating a perfume that’s a work of art

When Frédéric Malle chose to support the event, he did so with some trepidation: “Who am I to say what’s good and what’s not? But I was interested in exchanging thoughts with other jury members, and I am curious.”

As a long-time art collector – he used to spend his free time down the road at the V&A – he acquires art for pleasure rather than money. “I believe you should buy something because you want to wake up in the morning and look at it.”

Creating a perfume requires an artist’s vision, Malle says. He founded his perfume house “to show that perfume could be a work of art”. Malle adds: “I want to thank the [Evening] Standard for allowing me to bring two parts of my life together with this event.”

Introducing Heaven Can Wait from Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle

1/3

Culture is the lifeblood of London

The city needs artists, says Evening Standard culture editor Nancy Durrant, who chaired the judging panel of artists, curators and editors: “Culture is the lifeblood of London.”

Without competitions such as these, emerging artists can become drowned out by big-ticket shows, she says. “This grassroots stuff… is an invaluable way to take the temperature of what’s emerging… it’s just so exciting to be able to give this prize where it will make a difference.” Artists need support to develop, she adds.

This is an event which celebrates vulnerability, cultural heritage, sexuality and identity, says judge and artist Aowen Jin, who seized the chance to meet each artist in person at the gallery. “That’s why I love London… you can be yourself and this event has given the opportunity to say ‘hey, you are allowed to celebrate how unique you are’.”

The winning conceptual piece

Winning felt like “an out of body experience”, says judges’ pick Iman Sidonie-Samuels
Lucy Young

Winning artist Iman Sidonie-Samuels receives a £5,000 prize – and a bespoke Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle fragrance.

Her winning conceptual piece, a poignant stitched-together montage of years of monthly bills for long-distance phone conversations, reflects upon her relationship with her St Lucia-based grandmother.

As for the worthy runners-up, they are now firmly on the city’s radar. Entering awards takes courage, says Nisbet: “I truly look forward to seeing how each of you develop your practice over the coming years.”

In pictures: The Evening Standard Art Prize 2023 winner and runners-up

1/13

Discover the luxury fragrance collection of Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle online at fredericmalle.co.uk or in store at Liberty London.