Arts University Plymouth student shortlisted for Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize

<p dir="ltr">Alanna, who studies BA (Hons) Painting, Drawing &amp; Printmaking, is one of 86 artists whose work will feature in this year’s Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize exhibition. Her coloured-pencil and watercolour drawing <em>No Longer Home</em> will be shown alongside 91 other works chosen from entries by 1,403 artists across 48 countries.</p> <p dir="ltr">The shortlist was selected by artist Matthew Burrows MBE; Sook-Kyung Lee, Director of the Whitworth; and Professor Anita Taylor, founding Director of the Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize.</p> <p dir="ltr">A second work, <em>I Keep Returning</em>, will be exhibited as part of Baltic Open Submission 2026. Alanna is one of 79 artists selected for the exhibition at Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, following more than 1,100 submissions.<br /></p>

<p dir="ltr">Alanna said: “I was very surprised that my work was selected for the Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize. Having work exhibited in London is an absolute dream, and I feel extremely lucky.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’m also very excited to be showing my work with numerous established artists who have been selected. I think it will be lovely to meet them and see all of our work together.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Both drawings explore the ambiguity of empty corridors, walkways and other transitional spaces. Although the places depicted have personal significance for Alanna, she removes figures and other signs of life so that viewers can bring their own experiences and interpretations to them.</p> <p dir="ltr">“My drawings focus on the ambiguity of liminal or transitional spaces,” Alanna said. “Though these spaces carry a sense of familiarity, they are also suggestive of an undefined or unfixed state.</p> <p dir="ltr">“A corridor or walkway could represent an arrival, a departure or even a perpetual state of limbo.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Alanna has worked with coloured pencils since childhood and particularly enjoys the “soft, fuzzy quality” they can produce. She became interested in liminal spaces as a teenager and began exploring the subject beyond its familiar internet aesthetic.</p> <p dir="ltr">Being selected to exhibit at Baltic holds particular meaning for Alanna. Her father and his family are from Newcastle, where she spent many childhood summers and lived for a period.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Almost every time I went to Newcastle, I would pay a visit to Baltic,” she said. “I never thought that I’d have my work shown there, so I’m very grateful for this opportunity.”<br /></p>

<p dir="ltr">Dr Eve Ess, Course Leader for BA (Hons) Painting, Drawing &amp; Printmaking at Arts University Plymouth, said: “Alanna’s highly accomplished drawings of liminal spaces are captivating. Having work selected for exhibitions at both Baltic and Trinity Buoy Wharf is a notable achievement as she begins her third year. It’s wonderful that her work is being recognised in this way and that more people will have the chance to enjoy it.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Before joining Arts University Plymouth, Alanna lived in the US, where she took art classes throughout high school and later completed an online pre-degree art course. She chose Arts University Plymouth for its lecturers, facilities and location, and because the Painting, Drawing &amp; Printmaking course combines practical and theoretical approaches to traditional art disciplines.</p> <p dir="ltr">Learning about different artists, writers, theories and movements has informed Alanna’s work, while feedback from tutors and fellow students has helped her identify areas for development. Her tutors also brought opportunities including the Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize to her attention.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I was very shy and reluctant to put my work forward in my first year,” Alanna said. “Receiving encouragement from my lecturers and peers has definitely given me more confidence and motivated me to seek artist opportunities. Everyone is very supportive of each other.”</p> <p dir="ltr">After graduating, Alanna hopes to pursue a Masters degree, continue exhibiting with other artists and eventually organise a solo exhibition.</p> <p dir="ltr">The<a href="https://www.trinitybuoywharf.com/whats-on/trinity-buoy-wharf-drawing-prize-2026-exhibition"> Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize 2026</a> exhibition runs at the Buoy Store in London from 17 September to 4 October 2026 before touring the UK.<a href="https://baltic.art/whats-on/v8D-baltic-open-submission-2026/"> Baltic Open Submission 2026</a> runs in Gateshead from 19 September 2026 to 4 April 2027.<br /></p>