Meet Franklin Collins

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Meet Franklin Collins Runner up of The Hari Art Prize 2025

The Hari Art Prize 2025 runner up, has been awarded to Franklin Collins, an emerging British-South Korean Artist whose work impressed the judges with his inventive approach to sculpture and material. His use of found and salvaged objects brings an arresting physicality to his work, transforming discarded materials into forms of unexpected beauty and poignancy.

The panel admired the boldness of Collins’ vision – unafraid of imperfection, yet executed with a clarity of concept that suggests great promise. The judges felt that this recognition, and the accompanying award, would enable Collins to expand his practice further.

This interview offers a closer look at the voice behind one of the year’s most compelling and resonant bodies of work.

Tell us a little bit about yourself?

I’m a British Korean born in Cambridge and based in London. Graduated from Csm with a BA in Fine arts. I spent my placement year working as a fabricator for Antony Gormley. With my friend Kairi Tokoro we put on multiple art engagement workshops which ironed out our thinking around the art that we made. I had my first solo exhibition during my last year of my degree with Incubator art projects, and put on/ been apart of multiple group shows through out my time studying. Hiraeth in filet space being my favourite as it was a self run show with the work of mine and my closest peers.

I’ve always had a fascination with connection whether it’s the bridge across a river, the line holding up wet clothes, the eye contact with a stranger on the tube, the holding of hands with a loved one, the chemistry between old friends or the moment our body touches literally anything. It all acts as an affirmation of existence, to connect with what’s around us. It fascinated me during my studying and other commitments and it continues to fascinate me now.

Could you tell us about your overall experience participating in The Hari Art Prize?

Due to certain circumstances I was in South Korea for the majority of the time the preparation of the Hari shortlisted show was happening and unfortunately for me had to stay in South Korea during the Opening and awards Ceremony. While all of that being the case I still felt immensely connected to what was happening, everyone in the Hari team were incredibly kind and understanding. And when it came to finding out my placing I was both incredibly overjoyed and honoured but at the same time sort of gutted I couldn’t be there for it. Not only that I wished to speak to my peers who were also shortlisted. When I return to the UK it will be at the front of the list as I am very aware of the community that form through these opportunities. To find like minded people and passionate creatives is so enriching to my practice and life. It’s a major reason I intended to apply for the competition. Not only is the prize incredibly tempting but the social benefits from a competition like that seems just as part of the prize as the cash itself. It seemed to me the Hari prize was a way to find more connection with talented artists and also show my newest work at the same time.

How did you feel becoming a runner up in The Hari Art Prize?

As for where I heard about it, pretty sure a friend told me and suggested I apply. I found out from a phone call from my friend Sofian. it’s always moments like those where the chance to prank your friend becomes too irresistible. He let me sit in the ‘sorry mate you didn’t get it’ for what felt like a lifetime looking back but when he said without missing a beat ‘so someone will be emailing you asking for your details.’

‘Why, what for?’

‘Well the prize money of course’

The bag I was carrying dropped and I fell to a spot on a staircase. ‘Don’t take the piss mate’

‘Franklin Collins… Runner Up’

Well it was one of the most joyous experiences of my life. As he said it I imagined his arms out in front of him framing the words with his hands.

What is the story behind your winning piece?

My previous work enacted still positions of body. The static, moments of calm and a moment of reflection. I wanted to disrupt that. Gather is a moving action and in my mind fairly aggressive. It’s almost a clapping. This to me showed the infinite possibility of movement a body can enact with the physical world. To show smoothness harmonising with that and to show age not through stains or breaking apart but an abrasive grinding into material with such a lively action.

What are your thoughts on the other pieces shortlisted?

I’m pretty competitive, it’s in my nature. And to be honest seeing the rest of the shortlisted works set a fire under me. Everyone’s work was so inspiring. It’s always so enriching to see such committed and considered work. To see what’s out there, To see everything’s that’s possible, I love to see it and I would love to talk to these people more, which I most certainly will when Im back.

What do you plan to do with the prize money?

I will be using the prize money to help me pay for a studio space in Krakow. I’m in conversation with a gallery in Krakow about an exhibition for their art week, it’ll be on around mid April so be sure to look out for it as it’s always got some pretty astounding work and a great representation on what Poland’s art scene has to offer.

Would you recommend The Hari Art Prize and encourage others to enter next year?

I will definitely recommend the Hari Art prize to people. To not only have your work shown in a great space with exceptional artists but to also create connections with some dedicated people in the industry. Plus the prize money is great way to forward one’s career and pursuit of the arts.

The Hari Art Prize 2026

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