When Kirsty Bogle set up her easel and drawing tools in the Angus Glens earlier this year, she had no idea that the completed art piece would be displayed at an exhibition featuring works shortlisted for one of the world’s most prestigious drawing prizes.
Kirsty, who is among the first cohort of students set to graduate from the MFA Drawing course at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, is one of 102 drawing practitioners shortlisted for the annual Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize.
The exhibition reflects a broad scope of contemporary drawing practice produced by artists, designers and makers at all stages of their careers, from students to established artists.
Shortlisted pieces will be displayed at the exhibition at Trinity Buoy Wharf in London, running from 29 September until 15 October 2023.
Kirsty’s piece, Summer is Coming, was selected from around 3,000 submissions after a rigorous process. Her work is heavily influenced by the natural world and the piece was created using inks largely made from plants found around her.
“For me, drawing is a way of honouring and showing gratitude for the plants, trees, insects, birds, and mammals that also live here,” said Kirsty.
“I am delighted and amazed that a drawing that I did in a field in the middle of the Angus Glens is going to be on show in the middle of London in such an open space. It is an honour."
“My intention is to create work that conveys my sense of wonder at the natural world, of which we humans are an intrinsic part. I’m passionate about our relationship with the natural world and the optimism that slowing down, looking and thinking slowly can bring us."
“The MFA Drawing course was an amazing year of focus, support and confidence building, helping to hone what I'm trying to do and to understand it in the wider current contemporary context – it has been invaluable.”
The Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize, now in its 30th year, has an established reputation as the UK’s most important annual exhibition of drawing. Led by Professor Anita Taylor, Dean of the University’s Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design, and supported by the Trinity Buoy Wharf Trust, the open exhibition is known for its influential role in celebrating contemporary drawing practice and championing the value of the artform.
Professor Taylor said, “This is the thirtieth year of the Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize project, and the 2023 exhibition was selected by an independent panel of eminent drawing experts. The panel see all of the works submitted in an anonymous selection process and selected 102 drawings based on their individual merit from over 3,000 works submitted from 40 countries."
“It is a great accolade for a student to have their drawing selected, and we are thrilled that Kirsty has had her work selected through this rigorous process and is shortlisted for the awards.”
The Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize 2023 exhibition will be presented at Trinity Buoy Wharf in London on Thursday 28 September, when the prizes with a total value of £27,000 will be awarded.
Several individual awards will be presented - First Prize (£8,000), Second Prize (£5,000), Student Award (£2,000), Working Drawing Award (£2,000), and the Evelyn Williams Drawing Award (£10,000), a biennial award for a selected artist to develop a solo exhibition or presentation for Hastings Contemporary.