LONDON.- Today, Camden Arts Centre and Frieze announce Julien Creuzet as the recipient of the 2019 Camden Arts Centre Emerging Artist Prize at Frieze. Creuzet, who is represented by High Art, Paris, will realise a major exhibition at Camden Arts Centre in October 2020.

This annual prize – ­unveiled for the first time at Frieze London 2018 and now in its second year – offers invaluable critical exposure to an emerging artist, that goes with having their first show at a London institution. The prize winner will be supported by the experienced Camden Arts Centre curatorial team, and the show will be underpinned by an extensive programme of public talks and events.

French-Caribbean artist Julien Creuzet is a visual artist, video-maker, performer and poet. Creuzet’s work addresses his own diasporic experience and focuses on issues of migration, creolization and, recently, the troubled intersection of the history of Martinique and the events of European modernity.

Creuzet was selected from the 33 galleries from 19 countries in Focus at Frieze London, the fair’s celebrated section supporting younger galleries and artists in earlier stages of their careers.

The 2019 Prize was selected by a panel chaired by Martin Clark, (Director, Camden Arts Centre), with Gina Buenfeld, Sophie Williamson (Exhibition Curators, Camden Arts Centre) and Francesca Bertolotti-Bailey, (Head of Programme at Kettle's Yard (Maternity Cover). A group of UK and international patrons have generously supported the Prize, including Lead Supporters Alexandra Economou, Noach Vander Beken, and Georgina Townsley. These patrons share an interest in supporting the work of emerging artists and the economy of younger galleries within the contemporary art scene.

Martin Clark, Director, Camden Arts Centre said of the winner: “We are delighted to award the second Camden Arts Centre Emerging Artist Prize to Julien Creuzet this year. All of the jury were struck by his complex and sensitive use of textual, digital and sculptural materials, creating expansive but highly concentrated works that address timely and important issues from a very personal perspective. We are extremely excited about the exhibition Julien will present at Camden next year and look forward to beginning working with him soon.”

Victoria Siddall, Global Director of Frieze Fairs said: “The Camden Arts Centre Emerging Artist Prize at Frieze is a major platform for artists to gain invaluable institutional recognition at a crucial stage of their career. I look forward to seeing Julien Creuzet’s exhibition in London in 2020.”

Speaking about the award, Julien Creuzet said: “With emotion, with joy, with movement, thank you for believing in my floating forms. Thank you from the depth of the sea for awarding me this prize.”

For over 25 years Camden Art Centre has been committed to supporting and nurturing artists in the formative stages of their careers. The Camden Arts Centre Emerging Artist Prize at Frieze continues this work, building on the gallery’s previous collaborations with artists including Emma Hart, Christian Nyampeta, Ruth Ewan, Jennifer Tee and Haroon Mirza. The 2018 Prize was awarded to Wong Ping (Eduoard Malingue Gallery, Hong Kong) whose exhibition ‘Heart Digger’ was realised to critical acclaim at Camden Arts Centre and an off-site space at Cork St Galleries (from 5 July – 15 September 2019).