University of Northampton’s Fine Art academic commended for his archaeology inspired artwork

A Fine Art academic at the University of Northampton has received a prestigious commendation for his artwork, which aims to explore remapping archaeological excavation sites and propose new experiential readings of human histories.

Course Leader for Fine Art, Painting and Drawing, Stefan Gant has been teaching at the University of Northampton since 2013 and was awarded Highly Commended at the Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize 2024, at the exhibition launch and award ceremony on Wednesday 2 October at Trinity Buoy Wharf in London.

His piece, entitled Phygital Excavation (2023), was inspired by “exploring the remapping of archaeological excavation sites, exploring tacit and embodied mark-making exchanges with trench surface layers, richly charged with palimpsest,” explains Stefan.

“The work proposes new experiential readings of our tacit human histories with surfaces, developed through interdisciplinary exchanges between contemporary drawing, archaeological excavation processes, and digital spatial technology, experienced at an Iron Age hill fort in Nesscliffe, Shropshire, UK.

“The resulting laser drawing on paper extends the excavation procedure with marks, data and imagery from the site being imbued onto, into and through its surface. Here, paper becomes a complex storage membrane and fragile suspended strata to be explored. The work results from an eleven year residency with Emeritus Professor Gary Lock, School of Archaeology, University of Oxford.”

From over 2,200 worldwide submissions of contemporary drawings in the main prize category, 94 drawings by 88 artists were shortlisted for the Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize 2024 exhibition. These included Stefan’s work, which was celebrated by a panel of esteemed selectors – Mary Evans, Artist & Director of UCL Slade School of Fine Art, Gary Sangster, Curator & Writer, Co-Director of Drawing Projects UK, and Jennifer Scott, Director of Dulwich Picture Gallery in London.

On hearing his work had been Highly Commended by the judging panel, Stefan reflected: “In the past, my work has been selected for The Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize, which has always been enough for me. The prize is very prestigious, and to simply have been among those shortlisted was huge.

“This year, having gone a step further and been Highly Commended is a very rare and humbling experience, a true highlight in my career. This kind of recognition opens doors of opportunity”.

Stefan’s work is currently on display as part of The Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize 2024 exhibition at Trinity Buoy Wharf in London until Wednesday 16 October 2024. The exhibition is open to the public from 11am to 6pm daily, and is free to visit. It will then tour to Salisbury Museum, Falmouth Art Gallery, Drawing Projects UK in Dundee, and Waterside, Manchester until October 2025.

Find out more about studying Fine Art or Fine Art Painting and Drawing at the University of Northampton.