Prestigious art prize goes to University of Reading student
Release Date 26 September 2014
A University of Reading PhD student has been awarded this year’s prestigious Threadneedle Prize for her figurative artwork. Tina Jenkins' 'Bed Head' was selected as the top entry from over 3,600 submissions for the 2014 prize.
A mixed media work, ‘Bed Head’ is an example of her playful approach to historical constructs and limitations. The imagery consists of layers of the human form within a repetitive pattern.
“It was a big shock to find out that I had won as the quality of work was very high. It’s an absolute privilege to be in a show with so many other talented artists,” said Jenkins, who also completed a BA and an MFA in Fine Art at the University of Reading.
“My paintings are all about painting. I am trying to make a kind of analysis of painting through painting by questioning the constructs and limitations inherent in painting; the marks and gestures laid down and the internalisation of the subject itself. It was through this analysis that ‘Bed Head’ emerged.
“Tim Renshaw and Alun Rowlands were my supervisors over the two-year MFA course [at the University of Reading]. Their in-depth questioning and intense criticality of my work and research helped me to evaluate my practice, which in turn gave me the confidence to begin my PhD.”
Whitney Hintz, one of this year's four selectors, said: “There was a wide range of submissions but this year’s Threadneedle Prize winner stood out immediately. Tina Jenkins' 'Bed Head' was one of the first works we saw on selection day and, after viewing over 3,600 submissions, it was the first work that we returned to. Her bold approach to the human form and her clever use of material impressed the judges.”
Jenkins is no stranger to winning prizes, although this is the first time she has entered the Threadneedle Prize. She was runner up in the Marmite Prize for Painting in 2010, was awarded an Owen Ridley Prize at the University of Reading for an MFA project and is the recipient of a bursary in 2014 to research her PhD, also from the University.
Professor Susanne Clausen, Head of Art at the University of Reading commented, “The Department of Art has a proud history of producing alumni such as Turner Prize nominees Cornelia Parker, Richard Wilson and Mike Nelson, while being associated with notable artists such as Rita Donagh, Walter Sickert and Sir Terry Frost.
“Tina has been associated with the University for some time now, completing her BA and MFA in Fine Art before starting her PhD. It is wonderful to see a student receive such a prestigious prize for their artwork. We wish her every success for the future and will continue to support her through this next phase of her career.”
The Threadneedle Prize began as a collaboration between Threadneedle Investments and Mall Galleries in 2008, and is an important initiative supporting a vibrant arts sector in the UK.
Following this achievement, Jenkins will be running a solo exhibition at Mall Galleries between 30 March and 11 April 2015.
To find out more information about studying a PhD at the University of Reading, please visit the Postgraduate Studies website.