We are delighted to announce our 2009 winners

See what our judges had to say about their decisions here...

From left to right, Max Moran (music), Holly Russell (fashion), Jayne Compton (music) and Owl Project (Simon Blackmore - art)

art

Owl Project is an art collective comprised of Simon Blackmore, Antony Hall and Steve Symons. These three artists have a broad range of personal and professional interests, and, together, their work questions the disposability of technology (and the gadgets we are all so keen to upgrade) and industrialisation. By drawing on influences as diverse as woodwork, electronics, art and open source software, Owl Project has produced a range of semi-sculptural musical instruments that have been successfully exhibited across the UK and Europe. Their portable ‘rustic’ instruments, with names such as the iLog, m-Log and the Log1k, are working digital instruments that mimic popular handheld gadgets such as the ubiquitous iPod. The only difference is that Owl Project’s instruments are crafted from simple, untreated pieces of wood.

special commendations

Were awarded to Nick Jordan, who, with fellow artist and collaborator, Jacob Cartwright, is an artist research fellow at Manchester Museum, and Maurice Carlin, an artist who founded the Islington Mill Art Academy and co-founded the Sounds from the Other City festival. 

 music

This year our judges awarded two winners....

Jayne Compton has been at the helm of Club Brenda for over a decade. This innovative, underground club night blends music, art, poetry and performance and is a platform for artists such as the performance poet, Chloe Poems and Grand Central vocalist, Veba. The success of Club Brenda inspired Compton to set up Switchflicker Records, which was responsible for launching the Ting Tings’ stellar career (through the release of the hit single, That’s Not My Name). Switchflicker is currently home to folktronica favourites, Magic Arm. Compton’s dedication to music and art drew particular praise from the judges, as did her upcoming Arts Council book, Strange Trees, a joint project with the artist Rachel Goodyear (also one of this year’s art nominees).

Max Moran has been shortlisted for a portfolio that includes the collaborative video-based music blog, ThisTownSounds.com. Running since 2007, the blog has filmed exclusive performances by Florence & The Machine, as well as interviewed the likes of British Sea Power. Moran intends to expand the blog, eventually developing it into a music website that taps into a global online music community. Moran has also been recognised for his sell-out club night, Hot Club and its laid back sister session, Hat Club. More recently, Moran set up the burgeoning record label, Hit Club.

special commendations

were awarded to Paddy Steer, an ‘unsung hero’ according to one of our judges, for his contribution to the Manchester music scene over the past 25 years; and to classical composer Joe Duddell who curated (and conducted) the Elbow and Hallé Orchestra performances that formed the centrepiece of this year’s Manchester International Festival.

 fashion 

Holly Russell is an alumnus of Manchester School of Art whose shimmering, stunning graduate collection features hundreds of hand-sewn scarab beetle wings. Russell is unafraid of exploring new techniques: for the work shown here, she learned how to incorporate aluminium into her designs, and worked with an astronomer to produce embellished digital prints. Hugely ambitious but with a realistic approach to the fashion industry, Russell was recently selected to show at Graduate Fashion Week, with her work photographed by Mary McCartney and featured in the London press. 

Special commendations

A special commendation was awarded to Jen Scott-Russell, the milliner who runs the successful Northern Quarter-based shop, H’atelier.