HAUNTING DEPICTION OF REFUGEE CHURCH CLAIMS MAJOR ART PRIZE

LONDON, FRIDAY 24TH NOVEMBER: Marguerite Horner’s stark and beautiful painting entitled Church has been announced as the winner of the MS Amlin Continuity Prize. Part of the National Open Art (NOA) competition, the prize is sponsored by MS Amlin, the London-based arm of Japanese global insurer MS&AD;. The MS Amlin award asked artists to respond to the theme: ‘Continuity in an uncertain world’.

Inspired by the artist’s visit to the first Calais Refugee Jungle in 2014 – the winning painting is part of a show called ‘Keep Me Safe’.

“Despite the lack of material comforts in the camp, there was a human solidarity that was still there, giving meaning to their situation.” Explains Marguerite Horner “And the church, made out of simple things such as plastic and wood, was the space that brought people together. Church is a record of that time – a symbol of hope and faith when people’s lives were falling apart”

As well as winning £5000 the winning artwork work will be exhibited at the 21^st National Open Art Exhibition which runs 17^th to 26^th November 2017 at the Oxo Tower’s Bargehouse.

Commenting on the winning painting, MS Amlin’s Global Director Communications, Adrian Britten said: “In Marguerite’s piece we see how people feel they want to face life’s uncertainties together, to share the challenges and support each other, and these are concepts at the heart of our insurance business. With over 950 submissions for this award I congratulate Marguerite and we should celebrate everyone who made it to the shortlist for the vibrant cultural life they help us to enjoy.”

Now in its 21^st year, the National Open Art competition (NOA) is widely recognised as the UK’s premier open art competition that exists to nurture emerging and established artists (professional and amateur) based in the UK and Ireland. The winning artwork for the MS Amlin Continuity Prize was decided on by an industry panel including: Kate Packenham, Excecutive Producer, Donmar Warehouse; Steve Dinneen, Lifestyle Editor, City AM; Brittany Golob, Editor, Transform Magazine and Andrea Harari-Dickson, Director, Jagged Art Gallery London.

***ENDS***

Note to editors:

For more information please contact the Media team:

• Tank Top PR, Chris Rickwood – 07775 945 913 | chris@tank-top.co.uk
• MS Amlin, Glenys Dawson – (0)207 746 3577 | glenys.dawson@msamlin.com

About NOA: National Open Art (NOA) is one of the UK's leading art competitions, open to amateur and professional artists in the UK and Ireland. Since our first competition and exhibition in 1996, we've grown to offer multiple prizes that recognise talent and artistic excellence in a broad variety of artistic mediums and styles. Our panel of judges changes annually and features some of the most experienced and influential figures in the art world, from Royal Academicians to critics, curators and professionals.

NOA now attracts more than 4,000 entries per year and we offer both shortlisted and winning artists exposure and income opportunities through our exhibitions and online art sales platform. By working hard to expand the scale and scope of the competition, we aim to give all UK and Irish artists a gateway to exhibit and promote their work, regardless of background, and encourage them to pursue a life in art.

National Open Art is administrated by the Chichester Art Trust, a registered not for profit arts charity, whose aim is to provide a truly open and fair platform for all UK and Irish artists. The Chichester Art Trust receives no Arts Council funding and is funded by registration fees, supporter’s donations, art sales, advertising and wide-ranging sponsorship.

Registered Charity No:-1067096

nationalopenart.org

About MS Amlin: MS Amlin is a leading insurer and reinsurer, part of the global top-10 insurance group MS&AD;, with operations in the Lloyd’s, UK, Continental European and Bermudian markets. With a 300-year record and more than 2,400 people in 26 locations worldwide, we deliver continuity for businesses facing the most complex and demanding risks. Our role places us at the forefront of the Property & Casualty, Marine & Aviation and Reinsurance markets.

We are experts in underwriting, with both technical capability and deep knowledge of the areas we insure. Our claims service aims to set the industry reference point for quality, with efficient, fair and timely claims management.

We put the people we serve at the heart of everything we do, creating strong, balanced working relationships. Whether you’re a broker, agent, insured party or other insurer, you can expect first-rate service and the unwavering support of experts who understand your world and share your goals. And in providing this, we continue to meet our stakeholders’ expectations, empower our people and become a stronger partner for you.

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