London based artist Emma Hart, who works across ceramics, video, photography and sound, has been announced as the sixth winner of the Max Mara Art Prize for Women. The Prize, which has been awarded in alternate years since 2005, supports UK-based female artists who have not previously had a solo survey exhibition, by facilitating a sixth-month residency in Italy, tailored to a proposal made by the artist during the selection process.
This year’s judging panel, who nominate artists for the shortlist and decide the winner, comprised Fiona Bradley, Director Fruitmarket Gallery, Edinburgh; Sarah Elson,Collector and Founder of Launch Pad, a commissioning series supporting emerging artists; Artist and Royal Academician Alison Wilding and ArtReview‘s Senior editor and Web editor Helen Sumpter.
Hart’s proposal will include time spent in Milan, Todi and Faenza and will continue the artist’s integration of everyday life into her art by focusing on the power of the family. Hart will spend time at the studio of artist Alighiero Boetti, managed by his son Matteo, the hill town of Deruta, known for its ceramics and Faenza, home to the International Museum of Ceramics. She will also spend time researching the Milan Systems Approach to family therapy and the work of psychiatrist Mara Selvini Palazzoli who developed it.
The culmination of the Prize and residency, which is organised by Collezione Maramotti in collaboration with MaxMara and the Whitechapel Gallery, will be a major solo exhibition at the Whitechapel Gallery in 2017, which will then tour to the Collezione Maramotti in Reggio, Emilia, Italy.
The other shortlisted artists are Ruth Ewan, Ana Genovés, Tania Kovats and Phoebe Unwin. Previous winners of the prize include Corin Sworn (2013 – 2015), Laure Prouvost (2011-13), Andrea Büttner (2009-11), Hannah Rickards (2007-09) and Margaret Salmon (2005-07).
4 February 2016
