The Trustees of the Golden Fleece Award are thrilled to announce the shortlist of visual artists, craftspeople, and makers qualifying for the 2025 Award.
Those shortlisted for the twenty-fourth annual Award are: Sarah Browne (sculpture / installation / film); Rhona Byrne (sculpture / installation); Jennifer Hickey (porcelain sculpture); Rosemary Kavanagh (basketmaking); Jan McCullough (photography / installation); Sorcha McNamara (painting / installation); Michael Murphy (woodturning / sculpture); and Sasha Sykes (sculpture / design).
Just under 290 eligible applications were received across Category 1: Visual Art and Category 2: Craft + Applied Art, with a very welcome increase in the number of applications made by craft practitioners this year.
The prize fund for 2025 is worth a total of €35,000, making the Golden Fleece Award the most generous art prize open to both visual artists and craftspeople in Ireland. One main award worth €10,000 will be made in each of the two Award categories - Visual Art, and Craft + Applied Art. The additional €15,000 is to be divided equally between the remaining six shortlisted artists, with each receiving €2,500. The winners of this year's Award will be announced at a public Ceremony taking place on Wednesday 16 April in Bedford Hall at Dublin Castle. All are welcome to attend.
The Golden Fleece Award was established as a charitable bequest by Lillias Mitchell (1915-2000) to give artists "a 'boost' in times of particular need". It is governed by a Board of Trustees that includes members of the Mitchell family, consultants and arts professionals who work closely together to fulfil her wishes.
The Board of Trustees is supported by a specialist six-person Advisory Panel, whose knowledge and experience are invaluable in guiding the development of the award and selecting the annual shortlist. The 2025 Advisory Panel includes Clíodhna Shaffrey (Panel Chair and Director, Temple Bar Gallery and Studios); Sara Flynn (ceramicist); Joe Hogan (basketmaker); Hugh Mulholland (Creative Director: Visual Arts, the MAC); Stephen O'Connell (gallerist, O'Connell Gallery); and Niamh O'Malley (visual artist).
To view images of the shortlisted applicants' work and find out more about their practices, please visit the 'Artists' section of our website.
