The annual Articulation Prize invites those aged between 16 and 19 to deliver a 10-minute presentation to an audience about a work of art, architecture or an artefact of their choice in a museum or gallery setting. 

Adjudicators then assess each presentation as a whole, looking at content, structure, delivery and the speaker’s original approach and unique potential.

The Whitworth’s North West Regional Heat took place on Wednesday 26 January with a full programme of eight student presenters from local schools and colleges.  Our enthusiastic adjudicator was Ferren Gipson, an art historian, writer and textile artist, author of Women’s Work and The Ultimate Art Museum and host of the Art Matters podcast.

The presentations were all incredible and illuminating ranging from Le Rodeur by Lubaina Himid; graphic novels by Junji Ito; Heartstopper Episode 3; The Capuchin Crypts; the movement of horses captured by Christian Hook; Malaysian Corset and architect Santiago Calatrava’s Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias. Naomi, from Cheadle Hulme High School, wowed us with her well-structured presentation about Félix González-Torres, Untitled (a portrait of Ross in LA),1991, providing an insight to the Aids Crisis in a tender way, illustrating the loss of his lover through a pile of sweets to represent his healthy weight.

Our North West Regional Finalist, Naomi, will go on to present at the Grand Final on Tuesday 28 March 2023 1-5pm at The National Gallery.  Having a track record of three consecutive Grand Final Winners, we are keeping everything crossed for a fourth!   

If you would like information about how to get involved, either one of our Discovery Days or Articulation 2024, do get in touch via email with denise.bowler@manchester.ac.uk.

@articulationprize @whitworthart