Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize 2023: Entries Closed

August 1, 2023

Entries to the 2023 Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize have officially closed, and the judging process is now underway. Our sincere thanks to all of the artists and photographers that entered. We are super excited with the array of entries and have already discovered a host of new creators!

As well as discovering many new artists, we love seeing artists who have entered in previous years entering again. It’s a delight to see the ongoing evolution of their work.
Additionally, the amount of talent entering our new Emerging Artist Award category has made this another difficult year to select the Finalists!
Danijela Krha-Purssey

The variety of entries has provided a considerable mix of styles and themes, and we have found ourselves energized by the amount of a talent. From incredible fantasy to quick-witted contemporary creations, spellbinding dark art and unconventional figurative portraits – you continue to impress us! Additionally, the vast array of experimental techniques and mixed mediums shows us that many of you are still pushing the boundaries and thinking outside-the-box. The array of stories shared through the artworks have provided many thought-provoking narratives. And with much excitement, we find ourselves discovering a host of magnificent new artists.

It is also wonderful to see artists who entered in previous years entering again this year. As we have mentioned before, every year is a new Art Prize complete with a new Jury Panel who choose the Winners. We love seeing the evolution of artists’ works year on year!

A truly international Art Prize

Artists from an incredible 89 different countries entered the Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize 2023!

We have received entries from an incredible 89 different countries this year – wow!! Entries have been received from: Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong Sar China, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Lithuania, Macedonia, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Montenegro, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Paraguay, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Taiwan, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela, Vietnam.

Excitingly, we saw entries from a host of new countries as well. New entrant countries include entries from: Azerbaijan, Barbados, Georgia, Iran, Iraq, Lesotho, Macedonia, Martinique, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Turks & Caicos Islands, Vietnam. Welcome new entrants, and good luck!!

Entries were received in various Traditional mediums across the fields of painting, drawing, collage, installation, fibre art, art dolls, embroidery and mixed media. We have received sculptures in multiple mediums including metal, marble, wood, gold, plaster, stone, many resins, ceramic, clay, wool, found objects, and even skeletons! The Digital Art category has seen an array of digital painters, digital sculptors, digital 3D artists and photomanipulation artists enter, and in-line with our business ethos, AI art has not been eligible to enter. Last but not least, the Photography category provided the opportunity for fine art photographers from around the world to enter both their digital and analogue photography.

Judging Underway

Thanks to this process, our Editor-in-Chief Danijela Krha Purssey and her team have once again discovered a remarkable amount of incredible new talent. We look forward to sharing with you more of these wonderful entries over the coming weeks and months! The December issue will also feature a special editorial presenting the Grand Prize Winner of the 2023 Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize and the Winners in each category, plus the Grand Prize Winner will have a 10 page in-depth interview published in this issue. Purchase a print subscription now to make sure you don’t miss out on this and many other inspiring stories.

Judging has now commenced by this year’s Jury Panel. The jury panel is made up of: Beautiful Bizarre Co-Founders, Danijela Krha Purssey and Richard Purssey; Directors of Haven Gallery Erica Berkowitz and Joseph Weinreb; Vicki Fox, Director of Quirky Fox Gallery; representatives from our major partners: INPRNT‘s leader of Independent Design + Creative Strategy, Ashley Heafy; RAYMAR President & Creative Director, Emilie Dietrich; Yasha Young Projects Founder Yasha Young, and the Licensing Manager at iCanvas, Sally Wolff.

These are joined by esteemed contemporary artists: Rebecca Leveille (Traditional Art juror), Ellen Sheidlin (Photography juror), Ellen Jewett (Sculpture juror) and Laura H. Rubin (Digital Art juror) who will be reviewing work in their respective areas of expertise.

As you can imagine, this is NOT an easy job with so many exceptional entries in all categories! Stay tuned for the big reveal soon.

2023 Award Categories

RAYMAR Traditional Art Award
INPRNT Photography Award
iCanvas Digital Art Award
Yasha Young Projects Sculpture Award
Beautiful Bizarre Magazine Founders’ Emerging Artist Award
People’s Choice Award

Timeframes & Deadlines

7 – 13 August 2023: Judging
15 August onward: Shortlist of 140 Finalists [25 per Award category: Digital Art, Photography, Sculpture; 50 from the Traditional Art Award category; and 15 from the Emerging Art Award category] announced
24 August [AEDT, Australian Eastern Daylight Time]: People’s Choice voting opens
31 August [AEDT, Australian Eastern Daylight Time]: People’s Choice voting closes
Week of the 11th of September: Winners announced
11 Sept: Beautiful Bizarre Magazine Founders’ Emerging Artist Award winners announced
12 Sept: Yasha Young Projects Sculpture Award Winners announced
13 Sept: INPRNT Photography Award Winners announced
14 Sept: iCanvas Digital Art Award Winners announced
15 Sept: RAYMAR Traditional Art Award Winners announced
16 Sept: Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize Grand Prize Winner, Honourable Mentions & People’s Choice Winner announced
4 November – 3 December 2023: Beautiful Bizarre curated exhibition ‘Serendipity’ opens at Haven Gallery in New York, USA. (Note: Winners of the Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize will be invited to exhibit a work in the ‘Serendipity’ exhibition in November 2023. Winners may exhibit their prize winning entry if it was created within 12 months of the entry date, and not hung in any other exhibition or prize previously. Work already exhibited or hung in a Prize will not be accepted to the ‘Serendipity’ exhibition. If the prize winning work is not eligible to be exhibited in the exhibition, or if the artist chooses, they may create a new work for the exhibition.)

Until then, enjoy some of the wonderful entries below…

1-Nicole-Grosjean — Nicole Grosjean: “Fairy Fossil” (Ink, Pastel, and Enamel on Hand Embossed Paper)

WILDIY — Nicole Grosjean: “Fairy Fossil” (Ink, Pastel, and Enamel on Hand Embossed Paper)

Alex-González-Gallina — Alex González Gallina: “Ouroboros eye” (watercolour and gouache on hot-pressed watercolour paper)

Dave-Arredondo — Dave Arredondo: “The Nomad” (Macbook Pro, Wacom One, Adobe Photoshop)

Joachim-Pfaffmann — Joachim Pfaffmann: “How could I proceed in this strange world?” (digital photography) (Emerging Artist)

Michelle-Bennett — Joachim Pfaffmann: “How could I proceed in this strange world?” (digital photography) (Emerging Artist)

Jim-Zaccaria — Jim Zaccaria: “The Cyprian Cat” (Mac Pro / Photoshop)

Diana-Unrein — Jim Zaccaria: “The Cyprian Cat” (Mac Pro / Photoshop)

Misael-Urquico — Misael Urquico: “Hierophant Sun” (Graphite and ink on paper) (Emerging Artist)

Luna-Charlotte — Luna Charlotte: “Utopia” (acrylic on board)

Anastasiia-Merkushina — Anastasiia Merkushina: “Peacocat” (faux fur, polyurethane, bjd skeleton, wire, sintetic cotton, acrylic paint, decorative feathers)

Gwendolyn-Lanier — Anastasiia Merkushina: “Peacocat” (faux fur, polyurethane, bjd skeleton, wire, sintetic cotton, acrylic paint, decorative feathers)

Lisa-Falkenstern-fox — Lisa Falkenstern: “Monsieur Reynard” (Oil on Wood)

Amy-Rose-Mills — Lisa Falkenstern: “Monsieur Reynard” (Oil on Wood)

Thomas-Campi — Thomas Campi: “Memory of Love” (Wacom Cintiq /Photoshop)

Paola-Idrontino — Paola Idrontino: “Coral” (Photomanipulation, hand made sculpture/photography/discord/Photoshop)

Ian-Alieno — Ian Alieno: “Opulent Love” (Oil on stiched canvas) (Emerging Artist)

Anna-Rączka — Ian Alieno: “Opulent Love” (Oil on stiched canvas) (Emerging Artist)

Helena-Calmfors — Helena Calmfors: “Ephemeral I” (Analogue photography)

Daria-Callie — Helena Calmfors: “Ephemeral I” (Analogue photography)

2023-Psyché-Ophiuchus — Psyché Ophiuchus: “Galatea” (digital photograph). Model : Psyché Ophiuchus, Body Painting : Yoann Lossel

Jacob-Reese — Jacob Reece: “Unstated Prophecies” (Graphite and Pastel on Paper)

Sarah-MW-Miller — Sarah MW Miller: “Swallow” (WACOM Cintiq / Photoshop CS6)

Jisu-2023 — Sarah MW Miller: “Swallow” (WACOM Cintiq / Photoshop CS6)

Tonya-Wilhelm — KireevArt: “Lancelot” (digital photo)

Jonas-Munkesø-Loft — Jonas Munkesø Loft: “The Oil Oasis” (Oil, acrylics, paper, and metal leaf on canvas) (Emerging Artist)

Daniel-Jay — Daniel Jay: “Hand Stand Man” (Polylactic acid (PLA), G/flex epoxy, acrylic paint, cement)

Steven-Russell-Black — Steven Russell Black: “Menschliche Hülle / Human Shell” (oils) (Emerging Artist)

Ameyalli-Olvera — Steven Russell Black: “Menschliche Hülle / Human Shell” (oils) (Emerging Artist)

Cindy-Casino-fantasy — Cindy Casino: “Here with you” (Oil on Board)

Ilze-Egle — Cindy Casino: “Here with you” (Oil on Board)

Hannah-Tjia — Hannah Tjia: “Wolf Song” (Oil on wood) (Emerging Artist)

Olga-Krimon — Olga Krimon: “Emerald” (oil on panel)

Camilla-Roeder — Olga Krimon: “Emerald” (oil on panel)

Raygyan-Yumnam — Raygyan Yumnam: “Dreamers (I)” (Oil on linen)

DEBRA-HILL — Raygyan Yumnam: “Dreamers (I)” (Oil on linen)

Chiachen-Wang — Chiachen Wang: “Never have I Ever” (oils)

Kaysha-Siemens — Kaysha Siemens: “Artemis of the Spears” (Oil and 16k and 22k gold leaf on panel)

Heidi-Margocsy — Heidi Margocsy: “Rise Up” (digital photo). Model: Nathan Brewer Carter

Forough-Yavari — Heidi Margocsy: “Rise Up” (digital photo). Model: Nathan Brewer Carter

Emilia-Cantor — Emilia Cantor: “A Blue Song for the Void” (Oil on canvas)

Peter-Diamond — Emilia Cantor: “A Blue Song for the Void” (Oil on canvas)

Erica-Catherine-Matthews — Erica Catherine Matthews: “Pieta In Technicolor” (Photography, Emerging Artist)

Marilyn-Morrison — Marilyn Morrison: “Chicken Hut” (Polymer Clay, mixed media)

Arthur-Mavros — Arthur Mavros: “Venus” (digital photograph)

1-Kirsten-J-STINGLE — Kirsten J STINGLE: “Entangled Gaze” (Hand built porcelain with ceramic finishes, hand rusted and hand dyed silk fabric, vintage beads, saguaro boots, vintage lace, dollar bills, vintage change purse, vintage comb, peacock feather, vintage silver thread, glass pins, eyelashes, paint,pastel, wax)

Tinksquare: “Prince Charming” (Emerging Artist)

Mark-Covell-CLIMATE — Tinksquare: “Prince Charming” (Emerging Artist)

Quinn-M-Miller — Quinn M Miller: “Onerous” (digital photograph)

Sarah-Peters — Quinn M Miller: “Onerous” (digital photograph)

1-Kelly-McLaughlin — Kelly McLaughlin: “A Controlled Temperature” (Stoneware, wood, oil paint, varnish)

William-Paquet-2 — William Paquet: “I am” (Bronze)

Desiree-Crossing — Desiree Crossing: “The Night Commute” (Oil on Canvas)

Anastasia-Eve — Anastasia Eve: “Spiritual Love” (Oil, acrylic, pastels on canvas)

Heather-Brunetti — Anastasia Eve: “Spiritual Love” (Oil, acrylic, pastels on canvas)

Michaela-Durisova — Michaela Durisova: “Psyche and Eros” (digital photograph)

Jenny-Mørk — Michaela Durisova: “Psyche and Eros” (digital photograph)

Jen-Yoon — Jen Yoon: “Pygmalion” (Adobe Photoshop)

Renee-Pepion — Renee Pepion: “Solamente Una Vez” (air-dry paper clay, air-dry polymer clay, Apoxie sculpt, wire, mesh, acrylic gouache, watercolour)

kEda-Gomes — kEda Gomes: “Elysian-scapes” (acrylics, ink and spray paint on canvas)

Ivana-Bukovac — kEda Gomes: “Elysian-scapes” (acrylics, ink and spray paint on canvas)

Dave-McCabe — Dave McCabe: “Untitled” (Blender 3D / Octane render)

MaríaSánchez — Dave McCabe: “Untitled” (Blender 3D / Octane render)

Ziyarat-Tavlueva — Ziyarat Tavlueva: “Lotuses” (cold porcelain)

Gilles-Courat — Gilles Courat: “The chrysalis” (digital photograph) Model : Celine Guillaume

Aisha-Diandra — Gilles Courat: “The chrysalis” (digital photograph) Model : Celine Guillaume

PeeMonster — Peemonster: “Joseph Had a Goat” (Charcoal, and love on bristol)

Junior-Santti — Peemonster: “Joseph Had a Goat” (Charcoal, and love on bristol)

Yusuke-Morita — Yusuke Morita: “Angelic conversation” (old paper,mineral pigment,Sumi,gold leaf) (Emerging Artist)

Theo-Polymorphos — Theo Polymorphos: “Caridox” (oil on stretched linen) (Emerging Artist)

Justina-Vail-Evans — Justina Vail Evans: “She Held Us In Her Arms” (Emerging Artist)

Shimizu-Mari — Justina Vail Evans: “She Held Us In Her Arms” (Emerging Artist)

1-Colin-Poole — Colin Poole: “the Twins Kythos – Gathering the Night” (bronze)

Paul-Garcia — Paul Garcia: “Smile” (Acrylic on Canvas)

John-sleepy-Moran — John ‘sleepy’ Moran: “The Hollowed Family” (blown and sculpted glass)

Aaron-McPolin-flowers — Aaron McPolin: “Bloom” (digital photograph)

Veronique-St-Pierre — Aaron McPolin: “Bloom” (digital photograph)

Cybercatbug: “The Cradle” (digital drawing, Photoshop CS6, Wacom Intuos 3)

Lena-Sellberg — Cybercatbug: “The Cradle” (digital drawing, Photoshop CS6, Wacom Intuos 3)

Dimitri-BUIRON — Dimitri BUIRON: “Reminiscence” (Oil on linen) (Emerging Artist)

Jenny-Richardson — Jenny Richardson: “Predator Paradise” (Digital Painting & Drawing, Wacom Intuos Pro, Macbook Pro, Adobe Photoshop, Digital Brushes/Textures)

Julie-Loen — Julie Loen: “Mother Decay” (Analogue photograph)

Jennifer-Bruc — Julie Loen: “Mother Decay” (Analogue photograph)

Lucia-Giri — Lucia Giri: “The ravages of time” (Digital photograph)

Lola-Yiting-Zhang — Lucia Giri: “The ravages of time” (Digital photograph)

Bruce-Naigles — Bruce Naigles: “Keepers of the Faith” (Bronze (steel and concrete construction)

Titus-Chan — Titus Chan: “Chaos Collection – Birth and Oblivion” (Body: polyurethane resin, strung with elastics, acrylic paint, suede, mohair, stainless steel hooks. Outfits: acrylic painted aluminium alloy) (Emerging Artist)

The 2023 Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize
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About Author

Natalia Joruk

Based in the UK, Natalia Joruk enjoys a life surrounded by art, nature, and curious trinkets. As Deputy Editor, she's worked closely with the Editor-in-Chief for over a decade, supporting with the design and growth of Beautiful Bizarre and the maintenance of the annual Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize. Natalia also oversees sponsor partnerships for the Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize, and distribution of the magazine, so drop her an email if you know someone who would like to sponsor or stock! She also writes for both the Beautiful Bizarre Magazine website and print publication. One of her favourite perks is getting to know artists, gallery owners and their teams personally, so feel free to email her if there is anything she can help you with – or just to connect.