Fine Art Student nominated for Freelands Painting Prize

A final year BA (Hons) Fine Art student has had their work nominated for the Freelands Painting Prize 2022.

Rhiana Hibbert was chosen by staff out of their year group. The Freelands Painting Prize is an annual competition where every higher education institute that offers a BA (Hons) Fine Art or Painting course in the UK is invited to nominate a final year student.

Rhiana said: “I was excited to be given this opportunity and grateful to the staff team, particularly for Brendan’s assistances and guidance throughout the process. It is one thing for my painting to be recognised by the staff team but another to be recognised by individuals from the external Creative Industry.”

Rhiana chose three pieces to submit with the help of Brendan Fletcher the Senior Lecture & Programme Leader for BA (Hons) Fine Art.

Brendan said: “Hibbert has created a body of work that is ambitious and consistent.  It deals with important issues concerning representation and marginalisation.  They are in charge of a developing studio practice.  One can’t ask much more from a final year undergraduate.”

All the submissions get reviewed anonymously and at least eight winners will be chosen on May 16 to participate in an exhibition at the Freelands Foundation Gallery later in the year.  

Rhiana said: “I feel honoured to be involved in this competition, I really appreciate it’s focus on painting. There’s an argument as to whether there has been a removal of the artists hand with the development of the Digital Age and a moving away from more traditional means of making.

“The Freelands Painting Prize celebrates painting as a medium and as a painter, I value the awareness it brings to the medium. Painting is very much still alive and kicking.”