LONDON.- BADA (The British Antique Dealers’ Association) is delighted to announce that visual artist Mark Purllant is the winner of the BADA Art Prize 2023.

Launched in 2021, the BADA Art Prize seeks to promote the antiques of tomorrow by awarding a grant to an emerging contemporary artist whose work exemplifies the enduring ingenuity and quality illustrated by our members’ objects.

The competition was stronger than ever this year with well over 200 exceptional works, in a wide variety of mediums, submitted for consideration. The esteemed judging panel included world-renowned artist Sir Anish Kapoor CBE, President of the Cartier Foundation for Contemporary Art Alain Dominique Perrin, TV host, pianist and bandleader Jools Holland OBE, and celebrated Scottish sculptor Philip Jackson CVO.

Mark Purllant’s winning entry, entitled Freedom, is an oil painting in sculpture, utilising carved and steam bent English Oak, finished with wax, with maple veneer, ebony and brass details.

The judges unanimously agreed that Purrlant’s work expertly encompassed the objectives of the art prize and particularly admired the artist’s use of materials such as English oak, ebony, and maple, reflecting their importance in the production of fine furniture since the 16th century.

The award was announced at a VIP reception held at David Messum Fine Art on Bury Street St James’s, marking the end of the third annual BADA Week. BADA would like to thank David Messum and his team for their support on the evening and all the BADA members who participated in making this year’s events such a success.