14 April 2010

Bristol student scoops top art prize and international advertising profile

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Arts & Business says ...

“Arts & Business is delighted to have worked with Lloyds TSB Commercial Finance on the Art of Nurture prize for the last four years. The competition is a superb example of the imaginative partnerships possible between culture and commerce. This year’s finalists are once again of an excellent standard and we are proud to be working with Lloyds TSB Commercial Finance to support the creative industries and the wealth of emerging talent in the UK today.”
Colin Tweedy, Chief Executive, Arts & Business

“This year’s competition has been a huge success and I have been very impressed with the high standard of entries. The judges faced a tough decision but it is testament to Gaby’s work that he has won. The judges felt that the artwork was well drawn and put across the message of Lloyds TSB Commercial Finance working together in harmony.
Art of Nurture is a huge opportunity for anyone wanting to pursue a career in art and design as it shows they are able to accurately follow a brief and produce professional work. Through Lloyds TSB Commercial Finances’ advertising campaign, Gaby will now be able to showcase his work in a real-world commercial environment.”
Simon Featherstone, Managing Director, Lloyds TSB Commercial Finance

“We are extremely grateful to Lloyds TSB Commercial Finance for their support. They have donated the proceeds of a limited edition boxed set of art by previous winners of the Art of Nurture competition. The money raised will go toward helping disadvantaged young people across the UK turn their lives around.”
Elizabeth Royds, The Prince's Trust

“I’m delighted to have won, especially since the quality of the other entries was so high. Art of Nurture is a really respected competition and having this accolade will look fantastic in my portfolio.
I am very excited to see my work used in the advertising campaign and the combination of this and the work placement will really help boost my career.”
Gaby Selby, Art of Nurture 2010 winner

“Winning the competition last year has looked fantastic in my portfolio and my career has really benefitted from the award.
It is a highly respected competition in the student art world and it is great Lloyds TSB Commercial Finance do so much to help out the young talent in this country.”
Olga Grotova, Art of Nurture 2009 winner

A Bristol student has won the national final of Art of Nurture, a prestigious art competition organised by Lloyds TSB Commercial Finance and will now see their work used in an advertising campaign for the bank.

At an event held at the Saatchi Gallery in London last night, Gaby Selby, 23 from the University of West England, won the competition with his artwork depicting the symbiotic relationship between cows and egrets.

Over 500 entries were whittled down to 18 finalists after six regional heats were held at prominent art galleries across England and Scotland during March and April.

As well as the opportunity to see his work used in an international advertising campaign, Gaby will also have the opportunity to take a paid work placement at a top UK creative agency.

Kevin Cameron, 21, from Gray’s School of Art was awarded second prize, with Jayne Walsh who studies at Blackpool and the Fylde College, 46, coming third in the competition.

Gaby’s work was selected by a panel of esteemed judges including Dr Charles Saumarez Smith CBE, from the Royal Academy of Arts, Colin Tweedy, chief executive of Arts & Business and distinguished illustrator Brian Grimwood. Brian is one of Europe’s most credited and influential illustrators and his work has been used in magazines and advertising campaigns across the world.

Long standing supporters, Arts & Business, a national charity dedicated to encouraging new and sustainable arts and business relationships have been involved throughout the competition, with area directors of the charity acting as judges during the regional and national finals. This year saw leading youth charity, The Prince’s Trust, benefit from the competition.

Bringing together the arts and business worlds and encouraging students to work from a commercial brief, the competition has built up a strong following amongst art colleges and universities across the country.

Regional winners of the Art of Nurture were:

Stephen Johnston - University of Ulster
Jayne Walsh - Blackpool and the Flyde College
Adolfo Guevara - University of Salford
Hazel Castle - Birmingham City University
Abigail Stevens - Anglia Ruskin University
Carlton Smith - University of Wolverhampton
Amy Weatherill - Hartlepool College of Further Education
Alex Hedworth - Sunderland University
Josie Sexton - Cleveland College of Art & Design
Darren Seymour - Gray's School of Art
Jennifer Tocher - Gray's School of Art
Kevin Cameron - Robert Gordon University, Gray's School of Art
Subash Thebe - Middlesex University
Nikolay Volevski - Central Saint Martins
Rhiannon Ellis - University of Brighton
Darren Cranmer - Arts University College at Bournemouth
Gaby Selby - University of the West of England
Katie Harnett - University of the West of England