We’ve been excited about Lorena Levi ever since Sarah discovered her work at Edinburgh College of Art’s degree show last year, when she was already winning prizes. So we’re delighted, and not entirely surprised, to hear that this week her work has been awarded the 2022 Jackson’s painting prize. It’s an internationally renowned prize for emerging artists: now is a an excellent time to invest in this brilliant emerging artist.
We see Lorena’s work as part of a phenomenal tradition of psychological painting, in the line of Lucien Freud, Alice Neel, and Chantal Joffe – all of whom Lorena mentions as an inspiration. The committee of judges said they selected Lorena’s work for its ‘oil technique’ and ‘distinct characterisation’ of subjects.
‘Human relations are a driving force for my paintings’. – You can read our full interview with Lorena here.
New Blood’s take on the artist: ‘The often domestic spaces of her scenes hold an atmosphere charged with the psychological reality of multiple people. They also give space for alternatives, the other version of events that the mind dreams up.’