Clifford Chance

Clifford Chance Printmaking Purchase Prize 2020 awarded to RCA graduate Lydia Hamblet

Now in its 24th consecutive year, Clifford Chance's annual Postgraduate Printmaking Purchase Prize is awarded to the best printmaker completing their MA studies at a London art college in 2020. Worth £2,000 to the winner, it is now established as the premier prize on offer to the UK's postgraduate printmakers.

In a difficult year for graduating students, Clifford Chance were determined to demonstrate their on-going commitment to support visual artists, and particularly those working in the field of printmaking, which is the focus of the firm’s extensive art collection. From a shortlist of potential recipients drawn up by their long-term art advisers Frank/Hindley Art Consultants, the Art Committee selected the work of Lydia Hamblet, who completed her studies at the Royal College of Art in 2020.

Mark Payne, Clifford Chance Partner and Chair of the firm’s Art Committee, said ’We are delighted to continue with our support of printmaking graduates, through the award of our 2020 Purchase Prize. Though circumstances to view their prints were severely circumscribed, we were privileged to look at the work of many hugely talented printmakers, from which we agreed to award our prize to Lydia Hamblet. We found her work particularly engaging, as it explores ideas about shared personal experiences through a vibrant engagement with printmaking processes. We greatly look forward to seeing future works by Lydia and hope this Prize assists her to progress her printmaking career.’

Lydia Hamblet said, ‘A huge thank you to Clifford Chance for selecting me as this year’s Purchase Prize winner, I am thrilled to receive this award. Graduating last year in the midst of a pandemic was an incredibly difficult time for students, so I feel very grateful for the opportunity and support from Clifford Chance encouraging me to develop my practice. The award fund will be used towards studio space and materials, with the intent of preparing for a solo show.’

Examples of Lydia Hamblet’s work can be viewed here.