Building on long established links with the Finnish art community, The Finnish Institute in London launches Below Zero – a new contemporary art prize for emergent Finnish artists.
In association with the Beaconsfield Gallery Vauxhall this prize has been made possible by a generous benefactor wishing to remain anonymous. The prize will offer a bi-annual platform for a residency and new commission mentored by Beaconsfield, thereby fostering positive relations and creating new opportunities for intellectual cross-fertilisation between Finland and the UK.
“We are excited to launch this unique art prize. It’s a wonderful opportunity for Finnish artists to internationalise their practice, receive mentoring by a great established art organisation and showcase their work at the end of it.” says Pauliina Ståhlberg, the director of the Finnish Institute in London.
The selection committee includes representatives of the The Finnish Institute in London, Beaconsfield Gallery Vauxhall, the benefactor of the award and the curator and art critic Mika Hannula – who has been invited to the 2017-18 panel.
The selected artist is invited to work within Beaconsfield’s tradition of outward facing, public residency. Artists are encouraged to respond to the unique physical character of the venue and the distinctive creative identity of Beaconsfield, stimulated by a theme specific to the new prize – Harmony and Dissonance is the theme for 2017-18. A catalogue will be published to celebrate the prize.
The BELOW ZERO prize is open to Finnish artists who have studied to degree level, and are residing in Finland or anywhere in the world. The selection committee will focus on artists who have not previously won a prize (this does not include bursaries or educational grants) and who would benefit from a major UK commission.
Open call – 1st June 2017
Application deadline – 1st September 2017
London residency & exhibition – between January and March 2018
Online application portal: www.beaconsfield.ltd.uk/projects/below-zero
For more information:
Pauliina Ståhlberg
Director, The Finnish Institute in London
pauliina.stahlberg@fininst.uk