About the award

Kialy Tihngang is the most recent recipient of the France Brodeur Young Artist Award, working on their latest exhibition Fetissoes. This award is an independent fund hosted and managed by Warwick District Council, open to young artists across the UK. When discussing their work with Connor Elliman (Arts Officer for WDC), Kialy said "in Fetissoes, I speculate that a group of enslaved African people jumped overboard their captor's ship into the ocean and combined European maritime technology (the master’s tools) with fetishes (African religious objects with magical powers) to create tools to safely return home underwater. These will take the form of 6 wearable sculptures. I will also create an accompanying video showing these sculptures in action." The exhibition will be at God's House Tower, in Southampton October 2023.

Evaluation

In their evaluation of the project, some of Kialy's reflections were: 

This award has allowed me to focus in on my practice, modes of making and themes I wish to explore in my work. It has provided time and space to go deeply into the research.  Lack of time and resources can result in repetitive modes of making, the France Brodeur Young Artist Award allowed me to developing my ability to create a cohesive body of work.

Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum 

Upon completing the award, Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museums curator's have continued to support Kialy by exhibiting their work in the main gallery. In addition to this, Kialy joined the judges panel for the Open 2024 exhibition.