Ross Head, MA graduate of the Slade School of Art was the 2024 winner of the JM Finn Graduate Artist Award, run in the firm’s capacity as lead partner of the Affordable Art Fair.
One year on, the Affordable Art Fair caught up with Ross to find out all about how he has developed as an artist since winning the award, and how the bursary has helped him at a pivotal time in his career.
2025 has been a big year! What’s been your highlight so far?
It’s hard to pick just one highlight. Having my first painting acquired by a major collection like UCL’s Public Art Collection was a real milestone. It felt like a huge affirmation of the work I’ve been doing. My solo show at Haricot Gallery was also a major highlight. I’ve also had some exciting opportunities come up recently, including working with Soho Revue – a contemporary gallery in Soho – on a new series of etchings, which will feature at Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair. It’s been a busy, fulfilling year.
How would you say your practice has evolved over the past 12 months?
The last year has been incredibly formative. Since graduating from the Slade, I’ve had the time and support to really deepen my studio practice. I’ve been able to experiment and push the boundaries of my work both conceptually and materially, exploring further the themes that came to the fore during my studies. I think the biggest shift has been a greater confidence in making the work that I want to make and put out into the world. How have you used the JM Finn Bursary funding?
The bursary has been a huge help. It’s gone towards costs for my new studio in South Bermondsey, which I now share with my brilliant friend – and amazing painter – Katja Farin. It’s also helped cover some essential material and equipment costs, which has made a big difference to the kind of work I’ve been able to produce.
What has the grant enabled you to achieve over the past year?
It’s given me the stability and space to make work at a fairly large scale, and that comes with certain practical demands. Having a dedicated, well-equipped studio has made it possible to keep growing and challenging myself. I’ve been able to keep producing ambitious new work, which is a real gift early on in your career.
What’s on the horizon for you in 2026?
I really want to jump into my next body of work, which will take me through to 2026. I’ll explore pleasure and architecture and how sensory experience shapes emotional connection and pleasure in architecture, particularly in connection to desire and queerness. Over the summer I have been delving into this research and spending time at the National Gallery, Bishopsgate Institute and the British Museum looking at their collections of paintings and social history ephemera. These experiences will shape and inspire the next body of paintings and drawings. The 2025 Affordable Art Fair Battersea will run from 15-19th October, where JM Finn will also present the 2025 Graduate Artist Award. To see Ross’s portfolio of work click here.
