Platform Graduate Artist 2020: Louise Hall

CVAN South East, in partnership with four leading galleries from the South East, is delighted to announce that Louise Hall, graduate of Arts University Bournemouth, is the winner of this year’s Platform Graduate Award. Louise was nominated by Aspex in Portsmouth, where her work can be seen in a group exhibition until 20 December.

In an online event on Saturday 5th December, the 2019 Turner Prize joint winner, Tai Shani made the announcement.

Four artists were nominated by the partner galleries from a shortlist of twenty-eight exhibiting graduates.

Louise Hall is a multidisciplinary artist, focusing on printmaking, sculpture and performance.  As a recipient of the award, Louise Hall will receive a £2,000 bursary plus a twelve-month mentoring package by selected practicing artists.

Speaking of Louise’s work, Tai Shani states: 

“Louise Hall is passionate about her work and places it both politically and formally within the world. Her art is committed, multi-layered, researched, ambitious and rigorous. We are convinced that she will benefit greatly from the financial support and professional development opportunities that the Platform award offers, and we are excited to watch her practice and career develop in the coming years”

Louise’s exhibition 13 Dead, Nothing Said which featured alongside the other selected artists by Aspex, Portsmouth, translates the Black British experience of trauma through soft sculptures, with a focus on the tragic New Cross Gate fire of 1981, where thirteen young people lost their lives.  In Louise’s practice she communicates the Black British experience and the diaspora of challenging ideas of colonial history, narrative and the impact within the higher education system.

Reacting to the news of the announcement Louise Hall said: 

“I am so thankful to be given the opportunity to exhibit with the wonderful artists at Aspex gallery. To even be nominated for the Platform award was unbelievable, to win was a life-changing moment. It’s life-changing for so many reasons, to take up space within the art world as a woman of colour to win awards, to exhibit and most importantly discusses the Black British experience in the UK. Winning this award isn’t a just a win for me, it a win for every artist and art student who feels their work isn’t seen or heard by the institution”

CVAN South East would like to take this opportunity to thank all the participating Universities, the four partner venues; Aspex, Modern Art Oxford, Phoenix Art Space, and Turner Contemporary for their commitment and adaptation to make this year’s award happen.  CVAN South East would also like to give particular thanks to the twenty-eight artists involved in this year’s award.

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