Herbert competition winner awarded exclusive work of art

04 November 2013

A photography graduate from the University of Wolverhampton has won a unique, signed print by the artist War Boutique for a poem he wrote as part of the Herbert Art Gallery's Creative Writing Competition.

Brian Sheridan, who is now studying for an MA in Fine Art entered the Herbert's competition in the summer as part of the gallery's widely popular Caught in the Crossfire exhibition. The exhibition explored artistic responses to conflict, peace and reconciliation, and the competition asked entrants to write a 500 word poem on the themes of conflict, resistance, peace, hope or freedom.

Out of hundreds of applicants, Brian's poem 'The Corporate AGM' was chosen as the winner because it incorporated all of the competition themes in a current way, but also highlighted the effect that war is having on the earth and its people. It also tied with the topic of the prize; an exclusive signed 'Privatised Pat' print by street artist War Boutique, who has displayed his work at the Herbert before.

On hearing that he had won the competition, Brian said, “I was really pleased to hear that I had won! I really enjoyed writing the poem and wasn't expecting to win so was delighted to hear that I did! My prize will be proudly displayed on my wall."

Culture Coventry Chief Executive Gary Hall said, ""I am very pleased that Brian Sheridan has won our poetry competition. He clearly put a lot of effort into the poem and as a result his creativity shone through against the other competition entries. His prize is a War Boutique Privatised Pat print which I think is very fitting for a photography student, and I hope that it gives him great inspiration in the future.”

To see more of War Boutique’s work, please visit www.warboutique.com