2024 LONDON ACQUISITION PRIZE
THE WOMEN’S ART COLLECTION, University of Cambridge
The 2024 acquisitions became part of the permanent collection of The Women’s Art Collection at Murray Edwards College, Cambridge. This institution is Europe’s largest collection of art exclusively by women. Established in 1986, it now features over 600 pieces of modern and contemporary art, including works by renowned artists like Judy Chicago, Barbara Hepworth, Paula Rego, Tracey Emin, and Lubaina Himid. The collection was created to address the underrepresentation of women in art institutions and is displayed throughout the college’s iconic Brutalist architecture and gardens.
ABOUT THE DIRECTOR
Harriet Loffer is the Director and Curator of The Women’s Art Collection at Murray Edwards College in Cambridge. She also has served as Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art at Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery from 2009 to 2018. Her career includes roles at institutions such as Tate, the Museum of Modern Art in New York, and Frieze London.
2024 ACQUISITIONS
Bambou Gili
Gili is known for her surreal, figurative oil paintings that reference art historical compositions while employing atmospheric, often nocturnal colour palettes. Gili's work presents skewed visions of contemporary life, friendships, and emotional interiority through vivid colour palettes that evoke shifting moods. She has exhibited at renowned galleries such as Arsenal Contemporary and Night Gallery, and her work is included in several prestigious publications. Gili graduated with a BA in Psychology and Studio Art from New York University in 2018, and she currently lives and works in New Mexico, exploring the intersections of identity and culture in her art.
Shafei Xia
Shafei Xia has an MA in Visual Arts from the Academy of Fine Arts in Bologna, and a BA in Scenography from ChongQing University. Her practice engages with vibrant colour and organic forms, addressing themes of ecological interconnectedness and personal introspection through delicate paper-cutting techniques. Her work has been featured in various exhibitions, including at P420 in Bologna and at Tokyo Gendai. Living and working in Bologna, she draws inspiration from both her Chinese heritage and her experiences in Italy, blending these influences into her artistic narrative.
Asemahle Ntlonti
Asemahle Ntlonti examines themes of memory, geography, and identity through her practice. Ntlonti often incorporates organic materials and minimalistic forms, reflecting on the complexities of South African history and personal narratives related to land and trauma. Her works encourage viewers to engage with social and historical narratives, fostering a deeper understanding of the past. She has her work exhibited at A4 Arts Foundation, Cape Town, at Galerie EIGEN + ART, Leipzig, and at Stevenson, Amsterdam. In 2018, Ntlonti was awarded the Young Female Residency by The Project Space, a non-profit cultural institution founded by the late Benon Lutaaya in Johannesburg.