Interviews with the Judges: Rosa Sepple

The Ashurst Emerging Artist Prize 2016 Judging Panel is a selection of highly respected and renowned individuals in the art world, who cover a wide range of viewpoints and varied tastes for all movements, mediums and types of Fine Art. 

In the first of a series of interviews, we ask each judge the questions many artists have asked us. These including understanding what famous art and artists the judges like, more about the judges' expectations, their involvement in the art world, the exciting projects they are involved in and their own tips to help your career. If you have any new questions, feel free to comment below...

Rosa Sepple is an established artist, member of The Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours and a Director of the Society of Women Artists. She has won a variety of awards, exhibited throughout the UK and her artworks are in collections around the world. We are honoured to have Rosa as a returning member of the Ashurst Emerging Artist Prize Judging Panel.

Q1: Which artworks or media or movements are your favourites?
A1: One of my favourite artworks is ‘White Crucifixion’ by Marc Chagall which was painted in 1938 and can be seen in the Art Institute of Chicago. There are many early modernist works by Chagall which I adore. Favourite movement has to be Expressionism (learn more about this movement here).

Q2: What do you appreciate or look for in an artwork?
A2: The first thing I look for in any work is originality.

Q3: If realism/traditional is 0 and abstract is 10, what number places your favourite artworks/type?
A3: Somewhere around 7 (my lucky number).

Q4:Which important/renowned artists are you interested by?
A4: Georg Baselitz, for always pushing the boundaries (you can read more at Tate here, White Cube Gallery here and Gagosian Gallery here). He is very controversial, with statements like "if women are ambitious enough to succeed, they can do so... but up until now, they have failed". and "women don't paint very well". He is very successful, his 1983 painting entitled 'Der Bruckechor' sold at Christies in New York for £4.8m in 2014 (see here). But his paintings, in my opinion, are not that good and I would love to challenge his comments on women artists. I feel that Georges Rouault is far more talented (see more at Tate here). Also on my list of favourite artists, John Piper for his amazing linework and interesting colours and Marlene Dumas as top female artist.

Q5: What do you appreciate or look for in an artist with potential?
A5: Originality, passion and commitment.

Q6: Do you have one important piece of advice for emerging artists?
A6: Work, work, work and accept the disappointments and carry on.

Q7: What has been your favourite art project that you have been involved with?
A7: My favourite project has to be my solo show in London last year.
122 new works and the release of my book entitled ‘Out of the Blue’. You can see more about the book on Amazon here.
I was also thrilled to be involved in the launch of the Ashurst Emerging Artist Prize in October 2014 and proud to be involved in it again this year.

Q8: What plans and projects have you got for 2016?
A8: As I am a council member of the RI and hold the position of Press Secretary, I need to attend all the meetings in London and send out press releases regarding members' exhibitions and our own exhibition. This year’s exhibition will be the 204th Exhibition and will be held at the Mall Galleries in London, opening on Wed 5th April 2016 until Sat 16th April 2016. There is further information available at www.royalinstituteofpaintersinwatercolours.org or www.mallgalleries.org.uk. I'm also on the selection panel for this show and we received over 900 paintings from artists worldwide, finally selecting around 250 paintings to see in the next round. The final number of paintings selected to hang in the show with the members work will be approximately 100. Then for the 2 days prior to the opening I will help to hang (and decide) where all the works will go. Then, with my colleagues in the RI, we will decide who to award the prizes to.
In addition, I’m in the early stages of preparing for another solo show in London for 2017 at the Mall Galleries. I’m currently painting and curating the show so at the moment I don’t have much to show you yet.

Here is a special preview of some of the artworks I’m showing at the next RI exhibition…

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Interview by Conrad Carvalho, Prize Director