Andrew Boatright has won the 2017-18 Emerging Artist Award, given by the Forward Arts Foundation and Swan Coach House Gallery. He will receive a $10,000 cash prize and a solo exhibition at the gallery next spring.
The other finalists for the award—David Armistead, Wihro Kim, Julianne Trew, and Vanessa Brook Williams—will each receive $2,000 and have work displayed in the front gallery during Boatright’s solo show at Swan Coach House Gallery.
Boatright, who graduated with an MFA in painting and drawing from Georgia State in 2013, makes figural sculptures that reference the body through grotesque and provisional forms. Intentionally lacking a sense of refinement and completion, Boatright’s sculptures are made from cast-off, everyday materials. Often incorporating religious language and imagery into his work, Boatright approaches notions about failure and human flaws with a dark sense of humor.
Two of Boatright’s recent works were on view last month in “Parallel Play” at the Finishing School in Athens alongside pieces by Kojo Griffin and Kirstin Mitchell. He has also exhibited at Art Aqua Miami, MOCA GA, Twin Kittens Gallery, Good Enough Gallery, and Atlanta Contemporary.
The solo exhibition by 2016-17 Emerging Artist Award winner Kellie Romany opens this Thursday at Swan Coach House Gallery.
