Laisul Hoque wins the 2025 East London Art Prize with his interactive installation ‘An Ode to All the Flavours’. He receives £15,000 and a solo exhibition at the Nunnery Gallery in 2026. Runner-up Lydia Newman gains free studio space, showcasing works that address themes of race, class, and gender.
Laisul Hoque has been named the winner of the 2025 East London Art Prize, awarded by Bow Arts. This prize, which promotes East London’s diverse artistic talent, rewards Hoque with £15,000 and a solo exhibition at the Nunnery Gallery in 2026. His piece, ‘An Ode to All the Flavours’, is an interactive installation inspired by his childhood memories, encouraging visitors to explore themes of love and communication through food.
The installation supports the social enterprise Oitij-jo Kitchen, which empowers local Bengali women. The runner-up of the competition, Lydia Newman, receives free studio space for a year. Newman’s work, ‘In the Wake of Ruin, She is Here’, delves into concepts of race, class, and gender through a multidisciplinary lens.
Helen Simms, Manager of Arts & Events at Bow Arts, expressed pride in recognizing both Hoque and Newman, highlighting the Prize’s role in supporting local artists. This year marks Bow Arts’ 30th anniversary, emphasising their commitment to artistic excellence and community involvement.
The panel for the prize selection included Jonny Tanna, Louise Benson, Phoebe Collins-James, and Sam Wilkinson, who chose Hoque and Newman from a competitive shortlist of 12 artists. Close to 900 submissions were received from artists within the ‘E’ postcode. The shortlist exhibition is currently on display at the Nunnery Gallery until 13th April 2025.
All shortlisted artists are provided with mentoring and career development support in the following year. The inaugural prize winner was filmmaker Kat Anderson. Laisul Hoque, born in Dhaka in 1998, draws on his experiences to create art that reflects on communication and societal norms.
The East London Art Prize, established by Bow Arts in 2023, aims to highlight and celebrate the rich artistic landscape of East London. It offers significant financial support and exhibition opportunities to emerging artists, fostering their development and providing a platform for community engagement through art. The Prize has attracted a large number of submissions, reflecting the vibrant artistic community within the area.
Laisul Hoque’s victory in the East London Art Prize not only recognises his artistic contributions but also highlights the importance of food and memories in expressing love. The Prize continues to support local artists like Lydia Newman, fostering a creative community. Bow Arts’ commitment to nurturing talent remains strong as they celebrate their milestone anniversary and continue to empower artists through comprehensive support.
Original Source: fadmagazine.com