12 Artworks on the Rise Art Team's Wishlist

If you were to find an artwork under the Christmas tree, which would you want it be? The girls and boys at Rise Art have chosen artworks by our Rise Art Prize finalists that they'd love to wake up to on Christmas morning. You can choose your favourite pieces on Rise Art too by using the wishlist function on the site. 

Our Head Curator Rebecca & Artist Champion Izzy are die-hard fans of British artist Fred Ingrams:

Rebecca: With their striking use of colour and texture, these technically assured paintings bring to mind the landscapes of Hockney and Hitchens. Love them.

Izzy: Fred creates beautiful abstract works that concentrate on colour and form. His bold paintings burst with energy whilst also retaining a wonderfully simple composition that captures the strange and awkward beauty of East Anglia – an area which I am very familiar. I could stare at his work every day. Yes please!

Old pumphouse on the River Lark by Fred Ingrams

Our CEO Scott has a thing for paintings by Scotsman Philip Maltman, another of our UK finalists:

Philip Maltman is a gifted painter, accomplished both in terms of technique and composition. His large canvas works are bold and vibrant, making a statement in any environment.

Oak Leaf Fall #3 by Philip Maltman

Our Data Analyst Dana has a soft spot for the Japanese born Americas finalist Hiroshi Sato:

I really like Hiroshi’s style, especially how it’s applied in this painting where he creates this beautiful quilt-like effect. All the colour shadows make me want to continue searching for clues in the scene, such as the nod to his inspiration hung up high.

Scene K by Hiroshi Sato

Our trusty Sellers interns Nina and Kate are fond of Aussie finalist Susan Schmidt:

Nina: I love the way that Susan provides the viewer with an image that simultaneously feels familiar and artificial - as if one is recalling the wisp of a distant memory. I also appreciate the environmental aspect of the work. The texture of the painting appears weathered, subtly addressing coastal erosion and the impact it has over time.

Summer Scent by Susan Schmidt

Kate: I love the way that Susan’s work communicates a sort of presence, as if the person has just walked out of the frame, leaving a towel on the deck. Her colours are so vivid and nostalgic, like snapshots from a childhood memory.

Katie, our Marketing Director, is moved by Iranian artist Heja Rahiminia's 'Looking for Utopia' series:

Heja’s work is incredibly poignant and current. I love how he addresses the subject matter with delicacy and serenity and a level of execution that creates real beauty.

Looking for Utopia: Refugees (3) by Heja Rahiminia

Lei Sylviye's works appeal to our CTO Marcos. Lei explores the role of virtual reality in contemporary society - and Marcos is a sucker for anything to do with VR. 

Dimensional Aequence2017-1 by Lei Sylviye

Our Heads of Sales Nat has developed an affection for the work of fellow Russian Maria Magenta:

I find Maria’s paintings mesmerising - they are usually quite busy with pattern and shapes and yet they create a feeling of absolute stillness. Maria has a unique voice and vision that’s like nothing I’ve ever seen before.

Siesta by Maria Magenta

If our Creative Associate Teddy found an artwork by Michelle Loa Kum Cheung in her Christmas stocking, she'd be over the moon:

I love Michelle’s artwork. She creates surreal, fragmented landscapes using pyrography to etch onto pieces of wood. They’re organic, intricate and like nothing I’ve ever seen before. I would love to hang this piece in my bedroom and let it transport me to some beautiful, untouched place.

Passage by Michelle Loa Kum Cheung

Liliane, our Operations Associate, would love to hang Jenny Boot's Queen B in her home:

Jenny’s works are beautiful and this work especially is my favourite. There is a dark edge to her photography that really pulls me in. I feel like this photo induces two strikingly contrasting emotions: power and vulnerability. The blow-up crown particularly captures these opposing sentiments.

Queen B by Jenny Boot

Our Head of Operations Pedro finds himself rather taken with the captivating photographs by the Japanese-born artist Asiko. His trusty intern Alys has her eyes on Stella Kapezanou's colourful paintings.

Ijo by Asiko

Our Editorial Associate Aimee could gaze for hours on Lebohang Kganye's family archive pieces:

Lebohang’s domestic scenes sit somewhere between photography, sculpture and performance. In each of her works the stage is set and the scene is unfolding. I find her investigation into our construction of family history through photo albums fascinating. In this particular piece, I love the interplay between fully rendered object and silhouette.

Ke ile ka tswela pele ka ho tereka a ntse a bua by Lebohang Kganye

Browse the finalist collection >>