Date published: 06 June 2024
The Blunden Prize competition, now in its third year, calls for artists to enter their ideas for public art to be displayed at Stonewater’s affordable housing developments, linking to the history of the area and paying particular attention to sustainability and community engagement.
Entrants are hoping to win the chance to create a piece of art or sculpture for this year’s chosen development; Elm Fields in Coventry, where 148 two-, three- and four-bedroom affordable homes featuring several technologies aimed at reducing carbon emissions are under construction. The winner will also receive commissions for two additional pieces of art at other Stonewater development schemes.
Six artists from across the country have been chosen by Stonewater customers and colleagues in a judging session at its retirement living scheme, Whittle Court in Leamington Spa, where entries were reviewed against a brief provided by Stonewater.
The shortlisted artists will now go forward to a final judging event being held at The Henry Studios & Gardens in Hertfordshire. The Henry Moore Institute will also host the final winners’ event as part of an ongoing public art partnership with Stonewater.
Chief Growth and Development Officer at Stonewater, Jonathan Layzell, said: “Shortlisting has been a challenge this year, with such a vast number of amazing artists and creative ideas for the public art commission to choose from, and we’re grateful to our customers and colleagues for their time and dedication to the task.
“Our final shortlist is looking fantastic and we’re very much looking forward to the final judging with The Henry Moore Institute. This will be a fantastic opportunity for one of these talented artists, as well as providing yet another engaging focal point for one of our affordable developments and the wider community.”
The final shortlist consists of six UK-based artists; Christina Morbi, Dan Renoso-Urmston, Imogen Webb, Jim Bond, Joanna Dewfall and Torus Torus Studio.
The 2022/23 Blunden Prize was won by Yorkshire stonemason, Patrick Walls, who is creating a sculpture for Stonewater’s Calverley Lane scheme in Leeds.