This year we received 130 entries across five categories: Fine Art, Graphics, Film, Photography and Textiles & Sculpture and our 14 Finalists had their artwork displayed in a private exhibition at the Bankside Hotel – London’s ‘Art Hotel’ – on the renowned South Bank, a stone’s throw from the Tate Modern.

As has become tradition, our aspiring young artists enjoyed a day out finding inspiration at some of London’s top art galleries, followed by a celebratory lunch where they were joined by industry professionals – artists, curators and gallery owners – who shared their stories and advice on what it takes to establish a successful career in the art world. Then, in the early evening, this year’s winners were announced:

Photography Category and Overall 2023 Winner: Abby, Darwen Aldridge Enterprise Studio, for her piece: ‘Thé Fantaisie’

Textiles & Sculpture category: Hiway, Duke’s Aldridge Academy, for her piece: ‘Balconies’

Fine Art category: Calissa, Brighton Aldridge Community Academy, for her piece: ‘DEAD AND BURIED’

Graphics category: Elliot, Darwen Aldridge Enterprise Studio, for his piece: ‘Charlie.B.Grim’

Film category: Jake, UTC@MediaCityUk, for his film: ‘Consequence’

2023 Winner, Abby, told us that she grew up in a town ‘with little to no opportunities to thrive in the creative industry’ and decided to enter the competition because she believed that the Junior Prize ‘could open new doors for a chance to do well in the creative arts – an industry that is often not taken as seriously by society as it should be’. Speaking on the evening, she said:

I cannot begin to explain the exhilarating feeling of not only being shortlisted but winning the competition and I am truly honoured. The Junior Prize provides so many opportunities for young artists – not only the validation and belief that students can achieve but also the confidence to thrive, which is important to creative students like me as we are often told we should focus on more “important” subjects such as English and Maths which is simply not true. I am so thankful for this title and cannot tell you how much today has influenced me as an artist.

Winner of the Textiles and Sculpture category, Hiway, was entered the competition because she was ready to show people what she was capable of, she said:

The reason I entered the Junior Prize was so people can know who I am and what I’m capable of doing. I wanted to stop hiding behind my shadow and show my masterpiece!”

“I couldn’t believe I’d been shortlisted and when I found out I was the Winner of the Textiles & Sculpture category, I saw and started planning my future.

View our Finalists artwork, here.