Bonsai lands artist of year award

In Pictures: Welsh Artist of the Year 2008 winners

A bonsai tree wrapped in thread has won Cardiff-based Philippa Lawrence the title of Welsh Artist of the Year.

Her entry Bound Bonsai beat 500 others to claim the honour, and the judges described her work as "stunning".

The lecturer in contemporary textiles at the University of Wales Cardiff (UWIC) received her £2,000 prize at the city's St David's Hall.

"Winning this competition is such a good feeling," said the artist, who has studios in Cardiff and Bristol.

The competition was originally intended to be a one-off event, but is now in its eighth year.

WELSH ARTIST OF THE YEAR 2008 Overall winner and sculpture award: Philippa Lawrence, Cardiff, for Bound Bonsai Runner-up and painting award: Eleri Mills, Llangadfan, Powys, Ancestral Landscapes Photography: Anthony Stokes, Ogmore Vale, Bridgend, Cardiff Castle Applied arts: Laura Thomas, Cardiff, Loose Threads Printmaking: Kate Bassett, Cardiff, Street Jumble Drawing: Virginia Head, Cardiff, We Are Not What We Seem Student: Jane Elizabeth Taylor, Cardiff, Landscape from Memory - House, Ireland Highly commended: Corrie Chiswell, Cardiff, Truth is a Mountain; Duncan Ayscough, Bethlehem, Carmarthen, Pair of Vessel Forms; Christine Jones, Swansea, Vessels: Group of 5; Robert Michael Greetham, Semana Santa, Malaga.

Ms Lawrence's entry is a smaller version of her three-year project Bound, which involved visits to the old counties of Wales to locate dead trees and bind them in coloured cotton.

The graduate in fine art printmaking from the Royal College of Art said: "The wrapped Bonsai is more poetic because it's a form which has already been constrained."

Artist and sculptor Richard Long said: "Philippa is making beautiful works in great places. This award is richly deserved."

Her work will be at the centre of an exhibition of entries at St David's Hall until 26 July.

Exhibition curator Ruth Cayford said: "The panel were delighted to award the title to such a deserving winner.

"Philippa's work is stunning - her Bound series unites art and nature, transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary.

"Philippa's desire to draw attention to the beauty and cyclical nature of everyday life is pure and inspirational."

Ten other artists were also honoured at the awards ceremony.