OUR 2023 WINNER WITH LAST YEAR'S TOP TWO

FROM LEFT / SADIE FROST / OLIVER FREESTON / PAUL HARFLEET

Queer Britain has partnered with wine brand Madame F for our second year of the Madame F Queer Britain Art Award. The theme was Queer Creativity, inspired by illustrator Justin Kemp, who designed the Susy the Frog image featured on the Madame F wine label.

Entries were illustrations, paintings, drawings and photographs that all celebrated the theme. The winning artworks will also help support Queer Britain, the national LGBTQ+ museum for all, by featuring on merchandise. Entries closed on 1 January 2023 and prizes of £1500, £1000 and £500 were awarded on 3 May during a special reception at the museum in Granary Square.

£500 PRIZE WINNER

Sarah Jane Moon

THIRD PRIZE

'This painting aims to encapsulate the unassuming confidence and integrity of the subject, Juno Roche. Juno is an internationally recognised trans writer and campaigner, who is well known for her books, Queer Sex, Trans Power and Gender Explorers. I have so much admiration for Juno and know they inspire so many to live authentically as their unique and multifaceted selves.'

£1,000 PRIZE WINNER

Stephen Appleby-Barr

SECOND PRIZE

'This is a painting of Max (they/them) pouring wine into a cracked teacup. I paint my friends in oil on linen because I love looking at them. I’m Queer. My friends are Queer. I paint us so that people know we were here.'

£1,500 PRIZE WINNER

Oliver Freeston

FIRST PRIZE

'Inspired by Virgin X, a London-based queer performer, my goal was to combine classic renaissance style and tacky camp. After painting the portrait in oils, I embellished it with over 5,000 faux pearls and crystals, finishing with an ornate frame. I was blown away by the concept of this queer performer being a religious icon, taking the narrative of an institution known for excluding the LGBTQI community and twisting it to promote that same community through art.'

Andi / Holly Revell / Jason Kattenhorn / Julia Sue Dotson / Lukasz Izdebski / Paul Chisholm

SPECIAL MENTION

PAUL HARFLEET

Artist and previous Award winner

“I am proud to be on this jury. It’s a great opportunity to celebrate LGBTQ+ people, of all ages, and our artistic endeavours. Queer Britain is working very hard to set up a national LGBTQ+ museum, and this award shows that queer creativity is at its very heart.”

KATE CHARLESWORTH

Cartoonist, Artist and Award Judge

MARK KING

Head of Design and Special Projects, Queer Britain

LEWIS CORNER

Editorial Director of

Gay Times

The judges looked for originality, overall artistic impression, and response to theme.

IAIN MUGGOCH

Founder of Madame F wine

MEET THE JUDGES