Preston artist Lubaina Himid is named Artist of the Year

Lubaina Himid moved to Preston in the 1980s and has carved out her artistic career here

A Preston artist has been named as artist of the year – beating the likes of David Hockney.

Professor Lubaina Himid MBE, who is also in the running for this year’s Turner Prize, was given the honour by Apollo Magazine.

Celebrated annually the magazine hands out awards to celebrate major achievements in the art and museum worlds.

Lubaina’s work during her 35-year career shines a light on the slave industry through her paintings, drawings and artworks.

She said: “The Apollo Artist of the year award means a great deal, firstly because I’ve never won an artists’ prize before and it was a magnum of champagne, but also more seriously it’s great to be able to thank all the people who have supported me, including my students and my colleagues at UCLan.”

The University of Central Lancashire professor’s work is currently on display in Hull as part of the Turner Prize exhibition.

Professor Lubaina Himid’s work on display in Hull

She finds out on Tuesday 5 December whether she has been crowned as this year’s Turner Prize winner.

UCLan’s executive dean for the faculty of culture and creative industries Dr Andrew Ireland said: “We are delighted for Lubaina who is in the midst of a very exciting time in her career. Both the city and University benefit enormously from her work and we are proud of what she has achieved.”

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