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A YOUNG artist says it’s “validating” to be shortlisted for an emerging talent award as part of this year’s Henley Festival.
Tasia Hancock, 27, is among 18 artists selected for the RISE by Henley Festival Emerging Artist Prize, which celebrates up-and-coming creatives.
Ms Hancock, a self-taught painter and daughter of “arty” parents who has been based in Henley her whole life, specialises in reverse glass painting using acrylics.
Her work is designed to interact with light and shadow when displayed, often creating a striking visual effect within box frames.
The prize recognises artists in the early stages of their careers who are not yet represented by a gallery, offering a platform to showcase their work and develop a professional practice.
This year’s overall winner is Niah McGiff, with Yuchen Ge and Mark Jackson named as runners-up. Shortlisted artists will have the opportunity to exhibit their work during the festival, which runs from July 8 to 12.
The competition accepts a range of two-dimensional artwork, including painting, drawing, printmaking and mixed media, while digital and AI-generated work is not eligible.
Organisers say the prize is designed to highlight artists who demonstrate strong potential, originality and technical skill.
Ms Hancock said: “I’ve been saving pieces of work because I’m still yet to do a proper exhibition, so this felt like the perfect opportunity to get some feedback and share what I’ve been working on.”
Ms Hancock submitted five pieces named after songs, featuring a beetle, a butterfly and a housefly.
“The collection is all bugs and part of a reflective process thinking about how insignificant a bug is and a bug’s place in the world — it puts your life into perspective and I enjoyed that,” she said.
She previously studied at Falmouth University, where she gained a first-class degree in marketing and communication for fashion, before studying for a master’s degree in applied psychology in fashion at the London College of Fashion.
The former Piggott pupil added that the application process, which included writing an artist statement, allowed her to reflect more deeply on her motivations and creative process.
“I have a background in psychology, so I’m interested in the unconscious motivations and symbols behind what and why we create,” she said.
Her artistic practice is heavily influenced by psychology, consumer culture and entomology, with a focus on exploring symbolism and the subconscious.
Ms Hancock said: “I’ve found an endless supply of inspiration in natural forms — there are so many colours on a tiny bug, so I’m obsessed with them. I’ve been doing it since A level, so I find it really fulfilling.
“People find it a bit Marmite-y — you either love it or you hate it and people can get a little freaked out by it.
“Somebody told me my work reminded them of the butterfly effect. The mixing of so many colours encourages my brain to think in abstract ways. What are the tiny details a bigger part of?
“Pointillism is time-consuming but you appreciate every aspect that goes into it — all these tiny decisions form this one bigger thing.”
Reverse glass painting has become Ms Hancock’s signature style as she rarely enjoys painting on any other medium.
She said: “I tried Perspex and realised when you turn it around, you have this lovely sheen and can experiment with shadows. It gives you a whole new set of possibilities to work with. Glass is so smooth and easy — you’re working with zero texture, and I really like that.”
The judging panel included figures from across the art world, such as Henley Festival chief executive Jo Bausor, David Messum, fine art managing director Katie Newman, artist Rebecca Swainston and RISE head Emma Ellis.
They praised the detail in her work and the story behind the collection. “It’s so validating to hear when you’re working on your own for so long,” she said.
Painting is undertaken alongside her current role as a teaching assistant at an agency supporting special educational needs in Berkshire primary schools.
One bug artwork takes nearly two weeks to complete, and Ms Hancock has created a collection of nearly 30 pieces in the past six years, hoping now to host her own exhibition called “Hysterical and useless”.
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