News Story
The prestigious £10,000 Jarman Award prize celebrates the pioneering work of the UK’s foremost artist filmmakers. The artists selected for shortlist this year are:
The Film London Jarman Award recognises and supports artists working with moving image and celebrates the spirit of experimentation, imagination and innovation in the work of UK-based artist filmmakers. The Award is inspired by visionary filmmaker Derek Jarman.
We are thrilled to reveal the shortlisted artists for this year’s Film London Jarman Award, showcasing the world of artists’ moving image to a wide range of audiences. Under the extremely difficult circumstances that the past year has presented, it is both impressive and inspirational that these artists have continued to create and show work that questions, challenges and shapes the world around us, and we are pleased to spotlight their practices through the Award. Congratulations to all six shortlisted artists and thank you to our funders, Arts Council England, as well as returning partner Whitechapel Gallery for all their vital support.Adrian Wootton OBE, Chief Executive of Film London and the British Film Commission
Composite of Jarman Award 2021 shortlisted artists: (top left to bottom right) Sophia Al-Maria, Larry Achiampong, Jasmina Cibic, Georgina Starr, Guy Oliver, Adham Faramawy
Adham Faramawy, The air is subtle, various and sweet (2020), video still. Courtesy of the artist
Georgina Starr, Moment Memory Monument, Performance, 2017. Courtesy of the artist and Alcantara
From the individual and autobiographical to the global and political, the shortlisted artists’ films draw us into their narratives through elegiac poetry, experimental sound, surreal computer graphics, performance, dance and choreography. The shortlisted artists’ recent works give a voice to migrant workers, reflect on issues of colonisation, imagine fictional futures, explore the otherworldly and the occult, and trace the healing properties of plants across history.
Now in its fourteenth year, the Award has built an enviable reputation for spotting rising stars of the UK art world. Previously shortlisted artists include Lawrence Abu Hamdan, Oreet Ashery, Duncan Campbell, Monster Chetwynd, Luke Fowler, Imran Perretta, Charlotte Prodger, Laure Prouvost, Elizabeth Price, James Richards, and Project Art Works all of whom went on to be shortlisted for or to win the Turner Prize.
The dramatic verve of moving image art in the UK today made choosing just 6 artists more difficult than ever. Against a backdrop of abandoned buildings or elaborately conceived stage sets, this year’s shortlisted artists montage found footage, or script and choreograph little known yet dazzling performers to take us on a journey that bridges the political with the poetic. Viewers are in for a compelling ride.Iwona Blazwick OBE, Director, Whitechapel Gallery (on behalf of the jury)
Guy Oliver, You Know Nothing of my Work (2020), video still. Courtesy of the artist, Film and Video Umbrella and Jerwood Arts
Jasmina Cibic, The Gift (2021), video still. Courtesy of the artist
The winner of the Jarman Award will be announced on 23 November 202I. In the run-up to the event, art and film lovers can explore the work of the shortlisted artists online through a variety of our cultural venue partner websites, including the Whitechapel Gallery website. In addition, there will be a special weekend of screenings, discussions and performances featuring all six shortlisted artists on 13 and 14 November at Whitechapel Gallery.
The Jury who selected this year’s shortlist are: Iwona Blazwick OBE, Director, Whitechapel Gallery; Amal Khalaf, Director of Programmes at Cubitt, London and Projects Curator at the Serpentine Galleries; Shaminder Nahal, Commissioning Editor, Arts and Topical, Channel 4; Artist and 2020 Jarman Award Winner, Larissa Sansour and Tyrone Walker-Hebborn, Director, Genesis Cinema.
Larry Achiampong, Relic 1 (2017), video still. Commissioned by PS/Y. Courtesy the artist and Copperfield, London
Sophia Al-Maria, BEAST TYPE SONG (2019), installation view at Tate Britain, London. Courtesy of the artist, Tate, London, Anna Lena Films, Paris and Project Native Informant, London
