You might remember the cheeky image that was on the cover of the Feb/March issue this year? A man in super cool shades, a hare jumping out of his retro Adidas jacket and a badger on his head? Well, that was Marcus Coates who was one of the artists involved with Nicolas Bourriaud’s exhibition as part of the Tate Triennial“AlterModern” which finished on 26 April at Tate Britain.
Bourriaud argues that post-modernism is over and that it’s a term which is no longer relevant in today’s world. Coates’ film, installation and performance art focuses on the relationship between humans and other species. His work has received international acclaim.
Being one of the featured artists in this high profile exhibition really sets the stage for Coates’ contributions to the debates in contemporary visual culture. He was selected from an impressive shortlist. The Daiwa Foundation Art Prize was launched this year to introduce British artists to the Japanese visual arts scene. As well as receiving £5,000, Coates will be going on to Japan for his solo exhibition at Tomio Koyama Gallery in Tokyo.
Jonathan Watkins on behalf on the judging panel: ‘Coates has emerged as an artist with a distinct an extraordinary vision. He is making work now which is better than ever.’
The prize has been a resounding success, with nearly 900 applicants from across the UK. The prize, as well as providing a unique opportunity for artists wanting to establish themselves overseas, helps to further consolidate Anglo-Japanese relations in the arts. The shortlisted artists include Adam Dant and Bedwyr Williams; will be exhibiting their work at the Daiwa Foundation Japan House Gallery in London until 17th July.
Coates is an exciting artist making real contributions to contemporary art, introducing new concepts and themes while at the same time encouraging us to re-think our standard views.
Members of The Judging Panel were:
Jonathan Watkins (Chair): Director of Ikon Gallery, Birmingham.
Mami Kataoka: International curator who works with both The Hayward Gallery, London and Mori Art Museum, Tokyo.
Tomio Koyama: Owner of Tomio Koyama Gallery and collector of major Japanese and international artists.
Joanna Pitman: Art Critic for The Times and former Times correspondent in Japan.
Edmund de Waal: Artist potter, curator, writer and Professor of Ceramics at the University of Westminster.
Daiwa Foundation Art Prize Exhibitions London runs from 15 June – 17 July 2009 (Mon-Fri 9:30am -5:00pm. Daiwa Foundation Japan House Gallery,The Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation13/14 Cornwall Terrace, London NW1 4QP. In Tokyo from 7 – 21 November 2009 Tomio Koyama Gallery
Image credit top: Galapagos Fashion (c) Marcus Coates
Image credit middle: The Plovers Wing (c) Marcus Coates
