Now in its third year, the Brookfield Properties Craft Award is one of the most significant craft prizes in the UK. It recognises an artist who has substantially contributed to the story of contemporary British making.
To rapturous applause, Christian Ovonlen was announced as the third recipient of the accolade at a ceremony at Collect art fair on Thursday, 24 February, winning for his imaginative, handcrafted print techniques and silk garments.
As part of the award, Ovonlen will have a solo show at two of Brookfield Properties' London buildings, 99 Bishopsgate and Aldgate Tower, from 1 June to 22 September. Artworks from the artist’s Ballets Russes and Botanical Silk series will also be acquired for the Crafts Council Collection.
This will be the artist’s first solo show and the first acquisition of his work for a major national collection.
Ovonlen has been a member of Intoart since 2013. Based in Peckham, south London, the organisation is a collective of artists and designers with learning disabilities that was established in 2000 by co-founders Ella Ritchie and Sam Jones.