This year's selection process was organised by artist and ncas trustee, Andrew Eden. After a short list of five works were chosen, the final decision rested with those remaining trustees who could attend the final marking on the 18th June. Their decision was that Fine Art graduate Beth Bartlett was the clear winner, and she was subsequently presented with her prize by Andrew. Congratulations, not only to Beth, but to all the students whose work was presented in this year's degree show, and thank you to the committed NUA staff who conducted us helpfully around the show.
Andrew Eden and Beth Bartlett (photo courtesy of NUA)
Her work is described here by NUA:
'Beth Bartlett’s work is heavily inspired by geometrical forms found in the spiritual faith of Tantra. These Tantric inspired diagrams represent the balance of Male and Female energies within a person. Different shapes and colours are used to represent each side of the spectrum: shapes with curves and warm colours represent the Female and straight shapes with cold colours represent the Male. When these elements come together they create a balance. As Bartlett works with two disciplines in conjunction they create layers within the original meaning, abstracting the concept and visual image. Vibrant paintings and large scale constructed sculptures, seen as drawings, create an exciting dynamic that blurs the boundaries between technical drawing/painting with sculpture. The size of the sculptures makes them command a space; this is amplified by the added projection that acts as a light source to focus the eye to the central point, further creating chaotic shadows within the sculptures.'