A young painter who recently unveiled a solo exhibition at Warrington Museum & Art Gallery has been shortlisted for a major national art prize.
Louise Giovanelli, 24, who was described as ‘one to watch’ by leading online art gallery Saatchi Art, has been announced as one of 12 artists in the running to win the 2017 Contemporary British Painting Prize.
One of the pieces she entered in the competition, Mould II, can now be seen at the Warrington gallery as part of her new body of work, A Throw to the Side, which was inspired by the gallery’s collection.
Louise admitted she was surprised but overjoyed to discover she had been shortlisted.
“I’m just really pleased,” she said. “All the other artists are really good; they’re all older and more experienced so I’m just grateful to have made it this far.”
Three of Giovanelli’s paintings will be featured in a special exhibition in August, at London’s The Stables Gallery along with the other shortlisted artists’ work, when the winner will be announced.
As one of the country’s most promising young painters, Louise’s work has attracted huge interest since she studied fine art at Manchester School of Art, for which she was awarded a first degree.
A Throw to the Side is a completely new collection of haunting yet beautiful work which explores the sensorial possibilities of paint.
Derek Dick, outreach and engagement manager for Culture Warrington, the charity which runs Warrington Museum & Art Gallery, said: “We’re really proud to be featuring work by Louise Giovanelli, especially as she’s now been shortlisted for a top competition like the Contemporary British Painting Prize.
“She has a really keen eye for subtleties and nuances which others might overlook, and the fact that the new work featured in A Throw to the Side was inspired by exhibits from our collection makes it a really unique display.
“Warrington Contemporary Arts Festival is returning this autumn and I hope Louise’s work and achievements inspire other artists to enter the Open Art competition.
“Here at Culture Warrington one of our aims is to support and provide opportunities for emerging artists within the region; Louise’s exhibition is proof of that commitment.”
