Royal Academy Schools graduate Jame St Findlay is the winner ofthe second Claridge’s Royal Academy Schools Art Prize. The prize was announced at an award ceremony at Claridge’s by Royal Academician Sir Michael Craig-Martin RA to coincide with his major exhibition at the Royal Academy.
Jame St Findlay was selected by judges Ryan Gander RA and Oona Grimes RA during the recent RA Schools Show. The Prize of £30,000 is awarded annually to a graduating student at the Royal Academy Schools and includes a solo exhibition supported by Claridge’s and exhibition production costs.
The Royal Academy and Claridge’s have been neighbours for over a century. Both institutions pride themselves in a commitment to excellence and being a home to artists and creatives. The Royal Academy and Claridge’s are both committed to supporting artists at a time when fees for higher education are skyrocketing and the costs of artists’ studio spaces in London are now out of reach.
The RA Schools have been a key part of the Royal Academy since its foundation in 1769. The RA Schools offer a full-time, three-year programme to 17 early career artists each year. There are no fees.
Graduates of the RA Schools have contributed to art and culture in the UK and internationally through art practice, education, research, curatorial practice and collaboration. Stretching back to 1769, graduates include William Blake and JMW Turner to living artists: Lynnette Yiadom-Boakye, Michael Armitage RA, Eddie Peake, Prem Sahib, Rebecca Ackroyd, Kobby Adi and Ayo Akingbade who exemplify the range of recent graduates.
Sir Michael Craig-Martin RA said: “Supporting the next generation of artists with the freedom to make and show their work has played a significant role in my own career as an artist and teacher. The Claridge’s Royal Academy Schools Art Prize provides an exceptional platform for an emerging artist to come into their own on the contemporary art scene following three years at Britain’s oldest art school on Piccadilly, in the heart of London. The fact that the RA Schools has not charged student fees since its foundation 256 years ago allows students to take crucial risks in their art making, which is essential to keeping contemporary art practice in Britain alive.”
Eliza Bonham Carter, Curator and Director, Royal Academy Schools said: “Jame St Findlay is an artist who works with film and sculpture creating ornate, sprawling theatrical installations. Ideas of tragicomedy, codified or broken systems, and industrial/post-industrial landscapes are folded in as forms and subjects, absurd, messy, serious and acerbically witty in turn. I greatly look forward to seeing Jame’s work develop with the support of the Claridge’s Royal Academy Schools Art Prize.”
Paul Jackson, General Manager, Claridge’s said: “Here at Claridge’s we see art as an important and integral part of who we are, not just adorning the walls of our building but more importantly adding to the rich, creative, and diverse nature of the spirit of the hotel. We are very proud to be announcing the second Claridge’s Royal Academy Schools Art Prize. As a hotel in the heart of our London community we too have always felt a sense of responsibility to being culturally engaged so this feels a very proud moment.”
A major exhibition of the winner of the inaugural prize, Royal Academy Schools graduate Daria Blum, is currently showing at the John Pawson designed Claridge’s ArtSpace in London. Daria Blum: Drip Drip Point Warp Spin Buckle Rot runs until 25th October 2024.
About the artist
Jame St Findlay is a multidisciplinary Scottish artist working mainly across the mediums of film, sculpture, and performance. Raised gay and lonely in the industrialised backlands of central Scotland, St Findlay’s work often utilises pastoral imagery in conjunction with themes of commerce, collapse, melodrama, and humour as a tonic for misery. The suited drone worker/ the heterosexual family man is a recurring character in St Findlays work, utilised as a vehicle from which to convey narratives of conformity, Collapse, and time. @perfect.girlfriend
