We're thrilled to announce that the successful recipient of our 2016/17 Adam Reynolds Memorial Bursary and accompanying three month artist residency, hosted by Turner Contemporary, Margate, is sculptor Oliver MacDonald! Oliver will receive a £7000 bursary and begins his residency at Turner Contemporary in February 2017. The news was announced by Sir Nicholas Serota, current Director of Tate and soon-to-be Chair of Arts Council England, at our ‘Friends of Shape’ evening reception at the National Theatre last night.

The ARMB, set up in memory of sculptor Adam Reynolds, supports mid-career disabled artists looking to develop their practice and build their profile by offering funds and a three month residency at a high-profile arts venue. Oliver was selected as the recipient of the ARMB by a panel made up of Tony Heaton, Shape's Chief Executive; Fiona Parry, Programme Curator at Turner Contemporary; Molly Molloy, Learning Officer at Turner Contemporary; and Terry Smith, who's an independent artist and curator. Originally trained as a basket weaver and wood carver, Oliver explores the act of skilled craftsmanship through a conceptual lens, examining and interpolating issues around disability and the art world such as exclusion, pointlessness, obsolescence and reverence. You can see more of his work at www.olivermacdonald.com.



Oliver told us 'I am truly delighted to have been selected for the Adam Reynolds Memorial Bursary 2017, and I would like to thank everyone involved. It will provide me with a much needed opportunity to reinvest time and energy into my practice in an environment that supports and embraces the challenges that come with being a disabled artist. This is such an amazing and vital scheme that provides a practical solution to the needs of artists such as myself.’

You'll be able to visit Oliver and see what he's working on from February to April 2017 at Turner Contemporary, Margate. Stay stay up-to-date with news on the ARMB by signing up to our newsletter at the bottom of this page.

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Banner Image: Oliver MacDonald – ‘Untitled’, ice cream van, willow, metal; image c. Ivan Coleman

Body Image: Sir Nicholas Serota congratulates Oliver MacDonald on receiving the ARMB; image c. Andy Barker