The Dubel Prize

  • The Dubel Prize is awarded to recognize emerging British artists. The term "British" encompasses artists who primarily work either within Britain or on an international scale. 

    Interested artists are invited to submit their applications for consideration of the award. 

    From these submissions, a shortlist of twelve artists is created at the start of each calendar year. These selected artists will have the opportunity to showcase their works at individual events hosted by the Dubel Prize. 

    At the end of the year, an awards ceremony takes place, where a panel of judges consisting of curators, critics, authors, and industry experts from the UK and beyond will choose the emerging artist of the year. 

     

  • 1. Lee Musgrave

    1. Lee Musgrave

    Born in London to a watercolour hobbyist mother and electronics-tinkering father, a career at the intersection of those disparate activities as a digital artist seemed fairly well secured from the off. Studying Psychology and Philosophy at Leeds University (for the kicks) but always with one eye on the artistic, I forged an early career in videogame art for Rare/Nintendo (the then most graphically advanced developer on the planet) that lasted well and brought joy and exhaustion in equal measure. Latterly, I found myself a part of Microsoft Games Studios, as well as founding an app development start-up in solo capacity as 'the art/design guy', garnering myriad awards and commendations as we pushed creative and visual solutions into otherwise staid industries. Somehow also finding time to build a blossoming family of my own along the way, it's been an interesting ride this far.
    Looking now to pursue an exclusively fine-art adventure in the contemporary art sphere and have been thrashing at it in earnest for a couple of years. Success so far looks like a few shared shows and open exhibitions, a magazine inside cover and a couple of sales to friends and family - with the Dubel Prize shortlisting being the obvious highlight to now.

  • Lee Musgrave work

  • 2. Jessie Foakes

    2. Jessie Foakes

    I've been painting for just shy of 3 years, whilst being in the tattoo industry for the last 10 years. During covid, it gave me a little free time to pick up some new tools and play to see what I could create.

     

    I work mainly with acrylic and a little bit of spray paint! I've never used a paint brush. I've always snapped up bits of wood/rulers or anything I can get my hands on. Slowly I'm playing with pallet knifes, although my favourite tool at the moment is a trusty bread knife.

     

    I love basing my works on obvious objects and seeing how far I can push them. I don't really have an idea in mind other than getting really stuck in and seeing where it takes me. It's how I work in all aspects of life if I'm honest! Running a muck with everything and just enjoying the process!

  • Jessie Foakes work

  • 3. Hannah Thomas

    3. Hannah Thomas

    Hannah Thomas is an abstract painter, currently based in WIitshire, UK. She attended the University of the West of England in Bristol graduating with a BA hons in Art and Visual Culture, going on to pursue a career as a photographer, primarily working in the music sector, in London.

     

    In 2019 she chose to transition over to painting, in pursuit of a creative medium with far greater autonomy and creative control and one which allowed her to work with greater tactility and immediacy.

     

    Hannah's work has sold to collectors in the UK and internationally. She recently won the VAA Scholarship & Exhibition Award and she was recently commissioned to contribute a work painted on a reclaimed London bus panel for auction with 4bySix.

    She was included in the Ty Pawb Open exhibition in Wales and she was shortlisted for this year's Visual Art Open. She took part in The Other Art Fair in London in October 2022.

     

    She is currently working out of her studio in Bradford on Avon and is participating in the correspondence course with Turps Art School in September.

  • Hannah Thomas work

  • 4. Karen Turner

    4. Karen Turner

    Based in Suffolk in the UK, Karen is an award-winning figure and portrait artist whose oil paintings are a commentary on the weight of expectations. Focusing on the physical body and the scrutiny to which it is commonly subjected, Karen's paintings explore what society expects of a woman, the ways in which a woman's shape is often considered to define her, and the impact that this has on her life and sense of self.

     

    An examination of the inherent bias against, and at times discrimination of, fat bodies, her work challenges the traditionally narrow view of who can be considered beautiful, as she sensitively presents her subjects in a way that both celebrates and normalises.

     

    Born in London in 1978, Karen attended Hampstead Fine Arts College before going on to a career in the City. Since returning to art in 2020 she has been awarded the President's Prize by the Institute of East Anglian Artists, the Professional Artist Award by the Visual Artists Association and the Art Fluent Evolution Grant.

  • Karen Turner work

  • 5. Freddie Peacock

    5. Freddie Peacock

    20-year-old London-based creative prodigy, Freddie Peacock, is the latest young talent to breakthrough the London scene, honouring his skills as a contemporary artist and designer. Originally heavily focused on portraiture as a painter, Peacock expanded his horizons to both landscapes and timeless statement pieces, with the aim of showing his audience that he is talented in more than one field. A so far remarkable career has been recognised by numerous brands, musicians and media outlets on a worldwide scale. Notably, by lnstagram, when he was selected as one of the best creators on their platform under the age of 21. Despite the extent of the projects Peacock has planned for 2023, he is also currently pursuing a degree in jewellery design at Central Saint Martins. In 2022, Peacock partnered with the London-based non-profit organisation '4BYSIX' to create the painting "Who is Virgil?" which was displayed in a group exhibition on Bond Street. The piece paid tribute to, and dissected the extraordinary life and career of the late design icon, Virgil Abloh, and performed above expectations, outbidding some of the most renowned artists already existing in the scene.

  • Freddie Peacock work

  • 6. Luke Edgar

    6. Luke Edgar

    Creating work becomes a necessary exhale, an answer to being bombarded with constant input of information in modern daily life.
     
    I find myself constantly people watching, often observing the complete lack of awareness people have of their surroundings; the disconnect of humanity in this technologically minded fast paced culture; the vulnerability, humanity and stories often overlooked.
     
    Working with large scale steel and using traditional oil painting techniques in combination with tattooing into the paint and metal allows me to explore these observations in a bold, confronting, and intimate way. 
     
    I aim to capture what it feels like to be alive in the 21st Century and invite viewers to join me in considering our own perceptions and experience of ourselves and world around us. 

  • Luke Edgar work

  • 7. Niller Svenningsen

    7. Niller Svenningsen

    I started drawing and painting as a child and am entirely self-taught. Although self-taught, I have honed my skills through years of dedicated practice, experimentation, and a genuine passion for artistic expression.

     

    The majority of my work is oil and acrylic + collage on canvas, I tend to create chaotic and humorous scenes that depict vibrant and surreal landscapes, with references to religion, fairytales and sci-fi.

     

    I have produced a series of paintings which began with an interest in painting the sun and the moon; the rest of the matter naturally building itself up around that.

  • Niller Svenningsen work

  • 8. Neil Watson

    8. Neil Watson

    Neil Watson, an emerging artist from Bristol, captivates viewers with his fresh perspective on urban landscapes. Drawing inspiration from the vivacious street art scenes and the dynamic energy of the South West, Neil's artistic focus infuses life into his canvases.

     

    Using oil as his chosen medium, Neil skillfully weaves his creative expression, embodying influences reminiscent of Edward Hopper's style. A self-taught artist, Neil reignited his passion for painting during lockdown, rekindling his artistic journey that began back in his school days.

     

    Neil participated in this season's Sky Arts Landscape Artist of the Year held at Hever Castle in June 2023. His work seamlessly blends the vibrant spirit of Plein Air painting with a masterful interplay of colour, light, and energy, transforming landscapes into captivating works of art.

  • Neil Watson work

  • 9. Abotz

    9. Abotz

    I am an artist, born and raised in North West London, Kilburn to be precise.

     

    My Graffiti and Art life started when I was as young as 10 years old and you could say I became slightly obsessed with it from that point on.

     

    In more recent years I've transitioned from painting on walls to canvas. I paint mainly cartoon graffiti style images with a  British twist, along with make you think quotes along with my street level stuff.

     

    Since a hugely successful first solo exhibition under my wing (last year) I have been consistently creating work since that relates to myself and my life to this date.

  • Abotz work