ANNA-MARIA DESOGUS MEMORIAL AWARD - Brighton University 3D Design & Craft
“I set up the Anna-Maria Desogus Memorial Award with a focus on innovative 3-D design. Anna lost her fight with cancer on 9 February 2008. It is an honour for myself and Anna’s family to work with the University of Brighton
every year to personally choose prize-winners in memory of Anna and her art. - Jehane, 2010.
Anna-Maria Desogus
Anna-Maria Desogus (1968 - 2008)
Anna captured the essence of a beautiful woman. With Italian roots, her sense of style was innate. I first met Anna in 1996 when we exhibited our art together at the Spring Fair in Birmingham. Anna was teaching Art to the lifers at Winsom Green at the time, a job which she did for 10 years. With an MA in 3-D Ceramics (Carmarthan) she inspired the in-mates to make furniture and exhibit their work in local galleries. She later founded ZI Interiors where she incorporated her own 3-D designs and furniture. Anna was due to meet Tracey Emin the week before she died - I can imagine they would have set the world to rights.
Obituary in The Guardian by Dee Edwards.
PRIZE-WINNERS - Anna Maria Desogus Memorial Award
“The criteria reflect Anna’s qualities; making a strong visual statement: using innovative and creative consideration of materials, exploring subject matter or form: thinking ‘outside the box’: showing social awareness. With thanks to Jem Ryan, Alma Boyes, and the University of Brighton for their ongoing support” - Jehane.
Caroline Bennett, Graduate Award - - Prizewinner 2024.
“A huge thank you for having been selected for the award, to have been chosen on this specific criteria is really special to me as it clearly reflects what I view to be integral to my work” - Caroline Bennett
Shade Gadamsi, Level 5 Award - Prizewinner 2024
“This prize means a lot to me as this year has been incredibly challenging for personal reasons, I was nearly about to drop out of university, but I carried on. Receiving this prize makes me feel that all my efforts have been truly worthwhile” - Shade Gadamsi
The Anna-Maria Desogus Prize is awarded annually - established in 2011.
Fe Stevens - Graduate Award - Prizewinner 2023
Luke Fuller - Graduate Award - Prize-winner 2018
Luke Fuller, Prizewinner: Graduate Award in 2018 and 2nd Year Award in 2017
Veega Tankun, 2nd Year Prize-winner 2015
Zoe Rae, Highly Commended - 2016.
GRADUATE AWARD - Prize-winners
GRADUATE AWARD - Caroline Bennett (2024) Fe Stevens (2023), Bronte Simpson-Little (2020), Laila Laurel (2019), Luke Fuller (2018), Iona Aitchison (2017), Isabella Stone-Wilson (2016).
Level 5 - 2nd YEAR AWARD - Prize-winners
2ND YEAR AWARD Shade Gadamsi (2024), Caroline Bennett (2023), Dan Howey (2020), Bronte Simpson-Little (2019), Rosie Tweedale (2018), Luke Fuller (2017), Darwin Simmonds (2016), Veega Tankun (2015), Aphrodite Theochari (2014), Erlina Beare Gottison (2013), Stephanie Holmes (2012), and Stephanie Iles (2011).
GRADUATE - Highly Commended
GRADUATE AWARD: Tesni Callenig-Smith (2023), Ollie John (2020), Ava Vaughan (2019), Jemima Bellamy (2018), Jack Scott (2017)
Level 5 - 2nd Year - Highly Commended
2ND YEAR AWARD: Helene McCarthy (2023), Immy Gray (2020), Ollie John (2019), Chris Pearce (2018), Zoe Rae (2017), Nedine Luke (2016), Nathan Lisher (2015), Alexi Simmons (2014), Tsuwan Hsieh (2013), Josh Bitelli, (2012)
“This award is a special thing; both in the way that it honours and keeps alive the memory of an artist and friend, and in the inspiration it gives to the receiver. I have seen some great artists receive the award. It’s a pleasure to be counted!”
Catturando l'essenza della bella donna' - Capturing the Essence of a Beautiful Woman
Anna’s legacy is of visual and courageous statements. Pushing the boundaries in both life and Art.
© Anna-Maria Desogus - Leather Red & White Chaise-Longue and Acrylic Cubes, circa 2003.