Clifford Chance

Bernard Jacobson awards Clifford Chance Printmaking Purchase Prize 2019 to Gabriel Choto

Now in its 23rd consecutive year, Clifford Chance's annual Postgraduate Printmaking in London exhibition surveys London's art college graduates who use printmaking mediums, and our Purchase Prize, awarded to the best printmaker in the exhibition, and worth £2,000 to the winner, is now established as the premier prize on offer to the UK's postgraduate printmakers.

The annual Prize is selected by a leading figure in the print world, and this year Bernard Jacobson, of the prestigious Bernard Jacobson Gallery in Mayfair, selected Gabriel Choto from Central St Martins College of Arts as the winner of Clifford Chance's 2019 Purchase Prize.

Clifford Chance Partner Jeremy Sandelson, an initiator of the firm's support for the Arts, noted at the Reception for the Prize announcement that "the exhibition is a highlight of the firm’s art year. Each edition of this exhibition has presented fresh ideas and new thoughts through the art of printmaking. If there were any speculation that the art of printmaking might be in decline, the artists showing here clearly demonstrate an energy and enthusiasm for the medium that is both infectious and inspiring."  

Welcoming Bernard Jacobson as the Prize selector, Jeremy spoke about "Bernard's credo that the dealer works for the artist, not vice versa. Art, and particularly the art of printmaking, are of prime importance to him – values that our Art Committee equally share."

Bernard Jacobson said he was "looking for originality and creativity" when selecting the Prize winner. He was after the "wow factor", a work of art that "he had not seen that before". Though impressed with the work of all the 11 exhibiting artists, it was Gabriel Choto’s work that stood out as "the one with a vision that is unique and original".

Gabriel Choto said: "I would like to thank Clifford Chance for shortlisting me and picking me as Purchase Prize winner for this year’s exhibition. Hearing very positive and encouraging feedback about my works has truly brought me great joy,  this whole experience has opened doors for me, has pushed my practice in etching and printmaking further, and provided me with the funds that will go towards materials and preparation for my solo show next year."