This visibility is thanks, in part, to the exhibition’s unexpected location: the ground floor reception spaces of two landmark buildings. ‘Visitors may not be planning to see art there – it can be an exciting surprise and will reach different audiences. We want to challenge the perception that art is elitist or always hard to understand,’ says Williams. For Ovonlen, his focus remains firmly on making: ‘I like working with textiles and costumes and want to do more in the future.’
Ovonlen’s win comes on the heels of textile artist Anna Ray, who scooped the Brookfield Properties Craft Award in 2021, and ceramic and textile artist Matt Smith, who won the Award’s inaugural edition in 2020.
‘Theatrical’ and ‘Botanical’ run from 20 June to 22 September at 99 Bishopsgate and Aldgate Tower in London