Collect 2023 award winners

2 March 2023

Emmanuel Boos, represented by Joanna Bird Contemporary Collections
Artist of the fair

The ceramic installations by French artist Emmanuel Boos captivated the judges with his imaginative story-telling and deft handling of form, colour and material in equal measure. Whilst himself new to Collect, Boos is represented by Joanna Bird Contemporary Collections who has exhibited at every Collect since 2004.

Selected by judges Nicky Wilson, Grant Pierrus, Alice Black and Hazel Collins.

Left to right: Grant Pierrus, Nicky Wilson, Emmanuel Boos, Joanna Bird, Alice Black and Hazel Collins. Photo: Iona Wolff

Galerie REVEL
Outstanding display

The arresting curation of scale by first-time exhibitors Galerie REVEL really caught the attention of the judges. They commended the considered placement of delicate works by Kartini Thomas alongside the monumental ceramics of Xanthe Somers and textile wall hangings by Samuel Nnorom.

Selected by judges Nicky Wilson, Grant Pierrus, Alice Black and Hazel Collins.

Left to right: Alice Black, Grant Pierrus, Prince Malik Jewiti, Jordan Geloto, Nicky Wilson and Hazel Collins. Photo: Iona Wolff.

Epona Smith
Collect Open Award

Epona Smith won for her installation A Ladies Boudoir comprising several intricately engraved silver pieces symbolising objects such as hand mirrors and brushes but mimicking materials such as velvet, wood and silk. The judges lauded the highly original idea as expertly executed and displaying “many levels of craftsmanship and complexity of processes”.

Selected by judges Caroline Jackman, Lorna Hamilton-Brown and Bisila Noha.

Left to right: Caroline Jackman, Epona Smith, Lorna Hamilton-Brown and Bisila Noha.

Alice Kettle, represented by Candida Stevens Gallery
Brookfield Properties Craft Award

Alice Kettle was announced as the fourth winner of the annual prize, now one of the most significant in the craft sector.

There was no question in the judges minds that textile artist Kettle has significantly contributed to making in the UK in an illustrious career spanning four decades. At the award ceremony on 1 March judge and Brookfield Properties’ Curatorial Director, Europe Saff Williams paid tribute to Kettle who has ‘continuously pushed the boundaries of textile art with her thoughtful embroidered works’. Three new handcrafted pieces by Kettle will now be acquired by Brookfield Properties and gifted to the Crafts Council Collection which includes a mix media piece from 1988 by Kettle.

Alice Kettle in her studio. Photo: Alun Callender