246 Artists Represented in the Charman Prize from 2008 - 2010

2010 Charman Prize Winner - Sabrina Alexandria Powell


List of other winners:

Distinctive and Convincing Style
Susan A. Pearson
Use of material
Sharon R. Wilson
Serious Social intent
Scott Stallard
innovation
Ami Zanders

HONORABLE MENTIONS
Distinctive and Convincing Style
Meredith Andrews
Monica Smith Jones
Chris Mahoney

Use of material
Sheilagh Head
Elizabeth Mulderig
Tracy Williams

Serious Social intent
Jaime Cedenio
Vaughan Evans
Antoine Hunt

Innovation
Charles Anderson
Peter Lapsley
Trevor Todd


Sponsor and Patron of the Charman Prize Mr. John Charman announced artist Sabrina Alexandria Powell as this year’s $10,000 Charman Prize Winner at the opening reception, Friday February 5th, at the Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art.  Competing with 68 artists, Ms. Powell’s artwork, entitled “Raw Gombey”, was chosen for being an outstanding example of the competition’s four judging criteria.  As a result of winning the competition, the sculpture is now included in the Masterworks Bermuda Collection as part of the Masterworks Foundation and Museum of Bermuda Art.

 “Raw Gombey” was chosen as the winning piece by the judges because it is an outstanding example of all four of the judging criteria (Serious Social Intent, Innovation, Distinctive and Convincing Style, and Use of Material). Mr. John Charman describes the winning piece; “By taking the Gombey mask as a starting point, through scale and simplicity of line, Ms. Powell has created a sculpture that is both contemporary and has a clear connection to an important aspect of Bermuda’s cultural heritage in an elegant and engaging re-interpretation of the Gombey tradition. A marvelous work, the handling of the feathers is particularly fine, while the ‘etched’ surface gives the work great interest. The evocation of Bermuda’s rich history makes this work both of the past and completely new in its medium, abstract design and execution.”

The Charman Prize is a visual art competition sponsored by local businessman and CEO and President of AXIS Capital, Mr. John Charman. The opening of the first ever Charman Prize was March 1, 2008. Organised as an annual art show, artists who are resident on the island submit their work for the chance to win the $10,000 prize and sub-prizes. The Charman Prize is an opportunity for local artists to showcase and sell their works.

John Charman says, “ I am delighted to be able to showcase the extraordinary artistic talent that exists within our community. This annual prize will properly confer excellence and recognition to the worthy recipient”.

Tom Butterfield, Founder and Creative Director of Masterworks says, “It is thrilling for us to be able to provide our local artist with such a platform to showcase their talents, and it is great that we can reward them!  As a homegrown institution, support from the local community is very important to us. John’s donation will ensure that for years to come Masterworks will be able to showcase the talents of our very own artists for all the share, and reward them for their creativity. We are enormously grateful for his generosity, and are looking forward to this new addition to Bermuda’s art calendar.”

The competition is open to all Bermudian artists residents on the island, as well as non-Bermudians who have been a resident in Bermuda for at least six months prior to the entry deadline.