Exeter Contemporary Open 2013 Audience Choice Award winner announced

Exeter Phoenix has announced that the Exeter Contemporary Open 2013 Audience Choice Award has been won by Max Cahn.

The prestigious contemporary art exhibition, which opened on Friday 13 September, has seen hundreds of visitors vote for their favourite work.  In the end Cahn’s work captured the imagination of the public in what was an incredibly close count.

On hearing the news, Max Cahn, a Bristol based artist said: "I’m really pleased. It was fantastic to be selected for such a great exhibition in the first place, and to get this award is just the icing on the cake!"

Cahn’s paintings tend to depict structures that resemble tables, beds and platforms. In them a suggestion of the everyday and familiar is stripped right back, at times almost to the barest point of recognition, easily misconstrued and falling into abstract form.

As the winner Cahn receives a £200 prize that was presented to him by Ali Morrish the Practice Manager from Exeter Natural Health Centre who have sponsored this year’s Audience Choice Award. 

Ali said: "We are delighted to sponsor and support art in the South West.  We feel this award is particularly special as it is chosen by the public who visit and enjoy the exhibition."

Earlier in the exhibition Rachel Busby was selected by the judges as the Main Award Winner with artists Julie Price and Oliver Tirre receiving recognition through Additional Awards. 

The full exhibition showcasing all nine of the shortlisted artists can be seen in the Phoenix Gallery until Saturday 2 November and entry is free.