Fine Art student shortlisted for annual Woon Foundation Prize

Student Emily Stollery is one of 10 final year undergraduate students to be shortlisted for the prestigious art prize

Emily in the Fine Art studios

A student in her final year of our BA (Hons) Fine Art course has been shortlisted for this year’s Woon Foundation Painting and Sculpture Prize. Emily Stollery is one of 10 Fine Art students to be selected from across the UK for the prize, which was launched in 2012 and has since been annually funded by Northumbria University alumnus and art collector Mr Wee Teng Woon, and his family’s foundation.

The first prize is a £20,000 fellowship with a year-long funded studio space in the Woon Tai Jee studio in Newcastle, including mentoring from staff at gallery BALTIC 39 and Northumbria University. The year culminates in a solo exhibition, complete with the creation of a fully-funded catalogue. Two runners up will also receive £9,000 and £6,000 respectively.

Emily’s practice explores decision-making through assemblage and materiality. She creates installations composed of objects, in the process aiming to uncover and celebrate the harmonic relationships between disparate elements. She will show her work in a group exhibition at BALTIC 39 with the other shortlisted artists this July, ahead of the winner and runners up being announced.

We caught up with Emily to talk about her achievement. She told us: “I think I’m still in shock! To be one of 10 artists selected from across the country is a very proud achievement. It’s a fantastic opportunity and I’m very excited to show my work in July at BALTIC.”

Emily Stollery, to and fro, 2018. Tulip wood, adhesive, ceramic, domino joint. Image courtesy the artist.

“At NTU I’ve learnt to have confidence in my artistic practice, and through doing so have been able to apply to many external opportunities; including the Woon Prize. I wouldn’t have felt confident enough to apply to these opportunities without the support I receive from the course.”

She continued: “I enjoy the freedom I have to explore what I want to in my work. The tutors are so supportive and encouraging in helping me develop my ideas; and the facilities the course offers are second to none, allowing my work to develop and become more ambitious over the course of my 3 years study.”

She added: “Our studios are shared between all three year groups, creating a really exciting space to work in. It’s great to work amongst people doing something completely different to you, and makes for great discussion.”

Fine Art final year course leader Emily Strange commented: "Emily has shown herself to be a highly ambitious and professional young artist with a maturity and sensibility when it comes to her work. She thoroughly deserves her achievements and I have no doubt there will be more to follow."

Find out more about the Woon Foundation Prize.

Published on 3 May 2018