Jerwood Applied Arts Prize 2007

'Moving from the centre' (550x80mm) by Susan Cross, 2001

Susan Cross and Adam Paxon are the joint winners of the Jerwood Applied Arts Prize 2007: Jewellery

The Jerwood Applied Arts Prize is the most prestigious prize in the applied arts world – worth £30,000, and is run by the Crafts Council and Jerwood Charitable Foundation to celebrate innovation, commitment and excellence within the applied arts. The prize was presented last night by Alexandra Shulman of Vogue at an Awards Ceremony at the Jerwood Space, London.

The judges felt that Susan Cross and Adam Paxon were worthy joint prize winners, both representing different aspects of contemporary jewellery today. Although using divergent techniques and materials – Adam works mainly in acrylic and Susan in oxidised silver – it was considered that there was a shared connection in the way each uses structure and layering in their work. Both artists’ work was considered to be complex in construction, exquisitely made and showing superb craftsmanship. They also equally responded to the challenge of the prize and produced significant new work for the exhibition.

The Jerwood Applied Arts prize runs over a six-year cycle, with each year representing a different medium within the applied arts field: jewellery, textiles, ceramics, glass, furniture and metal. The prize is now part of the Jerwood Visual Arts series, which includes awards for contemporary painting, drawing, photography and sculpture, all exhibited at the Jerwood Space.

Rosy Greenlees, Director, Crafts Council said, “I am delighted that Susan Cross and Adam Paxon have won the prize. Their work demonstrates a vitality and skill which shows how exciting contemporary jewellery can be.”

Roanne Dods, Director, Jerwood Charitable Foundation said, “The work in this exhibition and the shortlisted artists taking part show that the applied arts can sit firmly alongside the rest of the fine arts. We congratulate all the artists on the quality of their work and imagination that they have brought to the prize, but most importantly congratulate the two winners.”

The shortlisted artists were Susan Cross, Nora Fok, Grainne Morton, Yoko Izawa, Adam Paxon and Mah Rana.

The judging panel was Paul Derrez, maker, collector, and Director, Gallerie RA, Amsterdam; Jacqueline Mina, winner of the previous Jerwood Applied Arts Prize: Jewellery in 2000; Geoffrey Munn, curator and writer; Christine Rew, Art Gallery and Museums Manager, Aberdeen Art Gallery and Museum and Carol Woolton, Jewellery Editor of Vogue. The exhibition runs at the Jerwood Space until 22 July and then tours to Lincoln, Edinburgh and Bradford.

Notes to Editors

• Since its inception, the Jerwood Charitable Foundation has been working across the visual and performing arts, film, literature, conservation and other areas of human endeavour, to find ways of supporting and nurturing talented artists in the early stages of their careers, helping them develop their skills, offering opportunities to create new work and find new inspirations. They work with organisations that show a commitment to excellence and quality, to develop exciting programmes, and to make grants to innovative initiatives. www.jerwood.org.uk

• The Crafts Council is the national agency for contemporary crafts. The Crafts Council aims to position the UK as the best place in the world for making, seeing and collecting contemporary craft.

• The Crafts Council is funded by Arts Council England. The Arts Council works to get more art to more people in more places by developing and promoting the arts across England and acting as an independent body at arm’s length from government. For 2006 to 2008, Arts Council England have six priorities: taking part in the arts, children and young people, the creative economy, vibrant communities, internationalism and celebrating diversity.

Visitor Information

• Entry free

• Venues:
Jerwood Space, London (6 June – 20 July 2007)
The Collection, Lincoln (11 August – 30 September 2007)
National Museums of Scotland, Edinburgh (12 October – 2 March 2008)
Bradford 1 Gallery, Bradford (15 March – 25 May 2008)

For images or other media enquiries about the Crafts Council please contact Jill Read, telephone: 020 7806 2549 or email: j_read@craftscouncil.org.uk or media@craftscouncil.org.uk