An overview of the award and the 2009 winner, Luke Fowler.
Following the success of last year’s inaugural Jarman Award, Film London through the FLAMIN (Film London Artists’ Moving Image Network), in partnership with Channel 4, is delighted to launch its second year.
The Award is inspired by visionary avant-garde film-maker Derek Jarman, who was one of the most innovative, esteemed and controversial artists of the late 20th Century.
The Jarman Award recognises artists working with the moving image whose work, like Jarman’s, resists conventional definition while encompassing innovation and excellence. The winner of this annual award not only receives a £10,000 cash prize, but also wins a unique broadcast commission – to make four artworks for Channel 4’s acclaimed Three Minute Wonder slot (3MW).
This is the only award of its kind where an artist is rewarded with both financial assistance to enable them to flourish, and the phenomenal opportunity to have their work broadcast on primetime television.
Luke Fowler, the winner of the first Jarman Award, which was presented by Film London and More4 in partnership with the Serpentine Gallery in 2008, has completed his four films for the 3MW strand. They will premiere on Channel 4 over four consecutive nights at 7.55pm from Monday 20 April.
Entitled Anna, Helen, David and Lester, they are a series of portraits of four diverse individuals brought together through a shared residence – a flat in a Victorian tenement in the West End of Glasgow.
Fowler was selected from a shortlist of four artists, which included Duncan Campbell, Andrew Kötting and Emily Wardill, selected from over 60 artists put forward for the award. The jury felt that Fowler’s work stood out for his vision, ambition and his strong use of highly original bricolage work.
The first UK survey of Fowler’s work will be presented at the Serpentine Gallery between 7 May and 14 June 2009.
A key catalyst within Glasgow’s thriving art scene, Fowler has collaborated widely across art forms and is represented by one of the city’s leading art agencies - the acclaimed Modern Institute.
As in the first year of the competition, representatives from the art world, including commissioners, artists, cinemas, curators, programmers and galleries are currently being invited to suggest potential recipients of the 2009 Award. Any up-and-coming artist film-maker whose work embraces the spirit and the legacy of Jarman’s highly experimental and risk-taking approach can be put forward for this annual prize.
Adrian Wootton, Chief Executive of Film London, says:
'After the success of last year’s Award, we at Film London are very excited about the prospect of once again giving a platform to an innovative and up-and-coming creative talent. Together with our core funders Arts Council England, FLAMIN is committed to promoting artists working with the moving image, and the Jarman Award is integral to nurturing their development. Thanks once again to Channel 4 whose involvement gives this award a terrific profile to showcase great artists to a huge mainstream audience.'
