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The Betty and Peter McLean Prize – Bath Spa University

A £1,000 prize awarded to postgraduate students working predominantly in ceramics.

The Betty and Peter McLean Prize is funded by a generous gift from one of the world's leading conceptual artists, Bruce McLean, and is named in honour of his parents.

Once all entries have been judged, one graduating postgraduate student will be chosen to receive £1,000 and have the opportunity to meet with Bruce.

Criteria 

If you're an MA Fine Art student at Bath Spa University and are using clay as a significant element of your practice, you are eligible to be considered for this award. This includes all MA Fine Art (Ceramics) students that are submitting work for the Master’s Project module.

Applications

There's no application process for this award. Bruce McLean and Conor Wilson will select one student to receive this award, based on the work presented for the annual Degree Show.

About Bruce Mclean

Bruce established his career in the 1960s and has worked in a wide variety of media and contexts, including performance, painting, print, architecture, video and ceramics. He has also taught in a number of art schools, notably as Professor of Fine Arts at the Slade School of Fine Art in London, where he was Head of Graduate Painting. 

Talking about his generous donation, Bruce said: “I decided to give a prize to a student in the ceramics department because I loved the atmosphere generated by the staff, students and great working space. It also felt like an art school.”

Bruce’s relationship with Bath Spa began when he was invited to give a demonstration to students in 2017. Reflecting on the experience, Bruce continued: “Not being a real potter, the jug I was making began to come apart in front of the students, causing some mirth. We need more art schools like this, laughing and learning and lunching.”

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