2021 WEAVERS FACTORY PRINT PRIZE

Welcome to the 2021 Weavers Factory Print Prize. This year we have awarded the prize to graduates from Manchester School of Art’s BA(Hons) Illustration with Animation course. From a shortlist of 15 we chose our favourite five artists; Lucy Morris, Sam Wagstaff, William Dobbs, Caitlan Hargreaves and Dylan Woodall. They each displayed a unique and original take on the world, combined with a clear understanding of their subject and perfectly executed technique. Lucy, Sam, William, Caitlan and Dylan will have a selection of their artwork curated, promoted and sold on the Weavers Factory Print Shop - congratulations!

We’d like to thank MMU, Ian Whadcock and John Hewitt for their help in creating this year’s prize.

WINNER LUCY MORRIS

“My practice explores and researches the values of the working-classes, as represented through traditionally higher-class cultures. Recently this has taken form of print to respond to films and literature made for, and by, the working-classes within mid-century Britain. Looking at writers such as Shelagh Delaney and the director Ken Loach, my aim was to re-introduce the issues examined within the 1960’s to today’s working-classes audiences. I wanted to allow the mass of working-class people to realize the culture and significance of working-class academia and art.”

WINNER SAM WAGSTAFF

“I am an Illustrator from North Yorkshire with a background in Photography and Graphic Design. My practice explores translating pre-written narratives into the form of a graphic novel. Illustration is how I communicate with the world and by methodically interpreting textual narratives into visual imagery I can provide others with an alternate perspective on an existing narrative using my visual language. In doing so, I hope to engage an audience to texts they may never have considered reading otherwise, using the dual-narrative track of the graphic novel.”

WINNER WILLIAM DOBBS

“My work embodies the concept of 'genius loci' in that it pays homage and respect to personal memories, moments and places in my life that have resonated with me in an impactful way. I take inspiration from my experiences of adventure, travelling and exploring the world. My work draws on my deep-rooted passion for figurines, collectables and relics and in particular my passion for ancient civilisations, and how drawing and mark making is rooted in different cultures and mythology. In addition, it draws upon my profound love of the wilderness and exploration; resonating with my own experiences.”

WINNER CAITLAN HARGREAVES

“As an aspiring tattoo artist my personal practice takes inspiration from traditional stylised artwork, featuring bold lines, heavy shading and bright colours. University projects have also given me a chance to engage in deeper research to the culture of tattoo art; resulting in the creation of my final outcomes to further educate others on its importance. I have worked with a variety of mediums but I take a particular preference in creating ink and gouache paintings alongside digital pieces.”

WINNER DYLAN WOODALL

“My work is a reflection of the subtle and unique narratives we can find in our day-to-day. Through personifying inanimate objects and depicting the relationships we form with nature, I like to create new stories within my practice; often introducing elements which can be open for the viewer to reinterpret. I am particularly intrigued by the imperfections found when using different printing methods and recently have worked primarily with Risograph printing. I have found that the unpredictable idiosyncrasies which this medium brings can act as a new characteristic within my work.”