To celebrate JM Finn’s longstanding lead partnership with Affordable Art Fair UK, the firm has again sponsored a £5,000 bursary to support a talented graduate artist at the outset of their career. The funding goes towards the cost of studio fees in the first year after graduating, to help them develop and find their feet as a professional artist.
Ross Head, graduate of Slade School of Art, has been named the winner of the JM Finn Graduate Artist Award 2024. Now in its second year, Ross was selected for the award by a panel of judges from Affordable Art Fair and JM Finn; chosen from the eleven trailblazing graduate artists featured in the fair’s 2024 Graduates Exhibition.
Ross received his award during a ceremony at the opening preview night at the Affordable Art Fair Battersea, on the 25th anniversary of the Fair, presented by Recent Graduate Exhibition Curator Nephertiti Oboshie Schandorf, Fair Director Hugo Barclay and JM Finn Head of Marketing Oliver Tregoning.
Using thick textures, vibrant colours, and delicate marks, Ross’s paintings tell intimate stories. Drawing from film stills, archival imagery, and sports photography, he creates imagined worlds where time and place blur, offering an alternative reality.
Ross said of his award: “I feel incredibly grateful to be selected to receive the JM Finn Graduate Artist Award. This opportunity will be transformative for my artistic practice; particularly, as I delve into working on a new body of paintings after the presentation of my degree show at the Slade School of Fine Art in June this year. I am thrilled that this generous award will allow me the time, space and materials to continue to develop and build a sustainable practice following my Masters degree. I very much appreciate this invaluable support.”
Oliver Tregoning explained why the bursary is so important to JM Finn: “Huge congratulations to Ross on his achievement. Supporting young and emerging artists aligns with our commitment to empowering new talent as they follow their passions and build their careers in the art world. We are excited to support Ross at this pivotal moment in his journey and look forward to seeing what he accomplishes next.”
The exhibition runs at the fair in Battersea Park until 20 October.
