The Culture Awards - WINNER: Laura Lancaster

A YEAR which saw Laura Lancaster enjoy her first solo exhibition, has won the artist a consecutive Culture Award in this category. She was given the Visual Artist of the Year award for her work throughout 2009, and the judges felt she deserved it once again, following her a diverse sequence of solo and group exhibitions, which graced the Laing Art Gallery in Newcastle, the DLI Gallery in Durham, Transition Gallery in London and Gallery North Newcastle, during 2010 and early 2011.

The Laing exhibition featured new watercolour and oil works, used via a range of media including installation, collage and charcoal drawing.

While her DL exhibition drew on photographs, slides and cine films of strangers - found in flea markets, junk shops etc for inspiration, translating

them into drawings, paintings and installations.

Laura said: "I'm very happy to be shortlisted again, it's great to have such recognition. I have been really busy recently, with three solo exhibitions in the last few months! It's a great way to work through ideas, and get a response to my work. In terms of highlights, I'd have to say the solo exhibition at the Laing Museum and Art Gallery, which was my first major solo museum show in the UK. It was a great space to show my work in!'