11th Charman Prize Art Winners Announced

March 29, 2024 | 0 Comments

The winners of the 11th Charman Prize have been announced, with the Charman Prize Best in Show going to ‘A Colourful Neighbour’ by Nahshon Hollis.

A spokesperson said, “The Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art is thrilled to announce the winners of the 11th Charman Prize under the theme ‘The Local Seen – Bermuda, and Bermudians, in the Modern World.’ This theme was open to any and all interpretation, but bears Masterworks’ overarching principle in mind: artwork inspired by Bermuda.

“The prize encouraged visual artists of all abilities, working in all techniques and media to submit artwork. With 104 entries submitted, 80 works were accepted and showcased in the Butterfield, Mezzanine and Rick Faries galleries of the Masterworks Museum. Throughout the duration of the exhibition, Masterworks invited the public to take part in five curated Artist Talks, delving into the techniques, mediums, and inspirations behind the artists and their artwork.

“A trio of international art professionals, Amanda Coulson, Founding Director, Tern Gallery, Dr. Madeleine Haddon, Curator, V&A East, and Karole Dill Barkley, arts patron, independent director, Goldman Sachs, juried the artwork while taking into consideration design and composition, use of material, distinctive and convincing style, and source of inspiration.

“During the closing ceremony, on Thursday, March 28, the jurors announced five winners with prizes awarded for artistic excellence according to the competition’s judging criteria. There is also a Masterworks Collection Prize and a People’s Choice Award, generously funded by Frameworks at ESC.

“The Charman Prize Best in Show with a prize of $10,000 went to A Colourful Neighbour by Nahshon Hollis.

“For each of the four judging criteria, four artists were each awarded a prize of $2,500.

“The award for Design & Composition went to Building the Roof by Otto Trott.

“Fragments of Memory by Nadiyah Brown won the award for Use of Material.

“Leaves of Time by Phoebe Hughes won the award for Distinctive & Convincing Style.

“The award for Source of Inspiration went to Dawn’s Embrace: Flatts Bridge at Sunrise by Montoya Lawrence.

“Additionally, with over 500 votes counted, the People’s Choice Award was given to Before The Tempest by Faraz Pourreza-Jorshari. An honourable mention goes to Nahshon Hollis who was just one vote behind.

“Leaves of Time by Phoebe Hughes also won the Masterworks Collection Prize, making it a part of Masterworks’ permanent collection.

“This year’s Charman Prize opened on December 18, 2023, and will be available to view until March 31, 2024.

“Established in 2008 with the opening of the Museum, the Charman Prize is a biennial art exhibition which continues to be generously sponsored by John Charman, businessman, arts enthusiast, and avid art collector. The exhibition was curated by Jasmine Lee, Museum and Gallery Exhibitions Officer of Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art.”

Nahshon Hollis is facetiming his sister, Shanna Hollis, the subject of the painting, with his mother. Photo courtesy of Blair Raughley Masters