Brighton quartet vying for Britain's most prestigious drawing prize

There were over 3,200 submissions from 1,617 artists for this year's competition, with work by a Brighton alumni quartet of Julia Polonski, Miriam Escofet, Robert Dingle and Stig Evans among the shortlisted drawings by 94 artists that will go on show to the public from 29 September to 16 October at Trinity Buoy Wharf in London, before touring to venues across the UK.

Julia Polonski graduated with a Visual Communication BA from the then Brighton Polytechnic (now part of the university's School of Art and Media) in 1978, and was previously shortlisted for the Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize in 2019. Her exhibitions include Works On Paper at London's Science Museum in 2014.

"My time at Brighton was a really treasured and formative part of my life," said Polonski. "I worked obsessively to take advantage of the great tutors who were there, from Raymond Briggs in illustration to Dennis Creffield in fine art, and I received advice I still adhere to today. I was allowed to go between departments, because I just loved drawing, and all areas were teaching it. Absolutely fantastic memories."

Artwork by Julia Polonski

Artwork by Miriam Escofet

Originally from Spain, Miriam Escofet graduated in 3D Design and Craft BA(Hons) from Brighton in 1990, before going on to both UK and international success - the latter including exhibiting in Spain, Japan and Italy. After winning the BP Portrait Award in 2018, Escofet was invited two years later to paint a portrait of the late Queen Elizabeth. Watch a Facebook video about the development of one of Miriam Escofet's drawings chosen for the Trinity Wharf Buoy Prize.

"Drawing has always been at the core of my practice," Escofet said. "I like to explore composition, light and mood through my drawing. The cross-disciplinary approach of my course at course at Brighton suited me perfectly."

Robert Dingle graduated with Fine Art BA(Hons) from University of Brighton in 2005, and has exhibited in both solo and group shows around the UK. He received a Wellcome Trust Arts Award in 2019.

“I'm absolutely thrilled to be showing as part of this year's Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing prize. There aren't many dedicated drawing prizes, so this one is really important,” he said.

“Drawing was actively encouraged and supported during my time studying at University of Brighton, and it has remained fundamental to my work.”

Artwork by Robert Dingle

Artwork by Stig Evans

Stig Evans continues to live and work in Brighton, after graduating in Fine Art in 1986, followed by a Fine Art MA from University of Brighton in 1988. He has had solo exhibitions at galleries in New York and Amiens, as well as Brighton's Fabrica. "Brighton gave me a great foundation in all aspects of drawing that continues to be fundamental to my practice," he said.

University of Brighton's art and design courses are ranked joint 8th in the UK, and are also in the top 100 globally according to the QS World University Rankings 2022. Students can focus on a chosen discipline, or explore the broader subject until they find a specialisation. Course options include game design, graphic design, illustration, animation, fashion, film, media and music, as well as a range of fine art degrees.