Bow Arts reveals shortlist for 2025 East London Art Prize

Twelve artists will compete for a £15,000 prize and a solo exhibition, celebrating the creativity and diversity of East London.

Darcey Fleming, A room, 2024. Discarded baling twine donated by farmers, woven, 370cm x 350cm x 380cm.

Bow Arts has announced the 12 shortlisted artists for the second edition of the East London Art Prize, a celebration of the region’s artistic diversity and talent. Established in 2023, the Prize showcases the work of artists and collectives living or working in East London’s ‘E’ postcode. This year’s finalists were chosen from over 870 submissions by a panel, including Jonny Tanna, Louise Benson, Phoebe Collings-James, and Sam Wilkinson. The shortlisted artists are Darcey Fleming, dmstfctn, Eugene Macki, Fatima Ali, Gusty Ferro, Joseph Ijoyemi, Kuda Mushangi, Laisul Hoque, Liang-Jung Chen, Lydia Newman, Mo Langmuir, and Yang Zou. Their works span diverse themes such as migration, social justice, and African diasporic perspectives, expressed through painting, sculpture, film, installation, and performance.

Gusty Ferro, Untitled, 2024. Steel handrail, black PVC, anti climb paint, cable ties, steel spiked chain. c. 150 x 200 x 100cm.

The artists will present their works at a shortlist exhibition in January 2025, where the winner will be announced. The top prize includes £15,000 and a solo exhibition at the Nunnery Gallery in 2026, while the runner-up will receive a year of free studio space at a Bow Arts site. Additionally, all shortlisted artists will benefit from mentoring and career development opportunities over the next year, including participation in the Prize’s events programme. The inaugural winner in 2023, Kat Anderson, showcased her film Mark of Cane earlier this year, while multidisciplinary artist Cora Sehgal-Cuthbert was the runner-up.

Yang Zou, I love you, life. I hope it’s great again, 2024.

Bow Arts’ Director of Arts & Events, Sophie Hill, expressed excitement about the shortlist, highlighting its reflection of East London’s vibrant cultural landscape. The Prize is supported by Minerva and Prue MacLeod and backed by partners such as The British Council and V&A East. Judges praised the Prize’s open submission format, which allows artists from all walks of life to gain recognition. “The diversity of practices and backgrounds is inspiring,” said Louise Benson, while Phoebe Collings-James noted the works’ profound dialogue across mediums. With East London firmly established as a hub for contemporary art, the Prize continues to celebrate and nurture its artistic community.