Aberystwyth University Fine Art alumna reaches the final of Landscape Artist of the Year

Kim Whitby

Kim Whitby, who graduated with an MA in Fine Art from the Aberystwyth School of Art in 2014, has reached the final of Sky Arts Landscape Artist of the Year 2016.

Kim, who was brought up in Aberaeron, was one of 300 ‘wildcard’ artists who pitted her skills against professional artists in the competition.

The semi-final which was screened on Tuesday 22 November, was held in Margate, Kent, and saw artists using Margate’s Harbour as their inspiration.

Kim completed a Bachelor of Education Art degree at King Alfred's College, Winchester, before teaching full time for many years as an infant teacher, initially in Devon and then in Ceredigion.

In December 2014 she completed a Fine Art Masters degree at Aberystwyth University, and has since focused on developing her artwork.

“My time on my Fine Art MA in Aberystwyth was a Ronseal experience. It did everything it said in the tin!” Kim commented.  “I certainly finished my course in a place professionally that I could never have imagined getting to before my MA.”

Professor John Harvey, from Aberystwyth School of Art, who supervised Kim during her MA commented: "Kim was one of the most hardworking, motivated, and determined postgraduate students that I’ve ever had the pleasure to teach. Her recent success is laudable, but not surprising."

The final of Landscape Artist of the Year 2016 will be screened on Tuesday 29th November on Sky Arts from 8pm.

The challenge set for Kim and the other two finalists will be creating a piece of art depicting Uquhart Castle on the shores of Loch Ness.

The winner will receive a £10,000 commission to interpret Petworth House in West Sussex for the National Trust’s national art collection and £500 to spend on CassArt materials.

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