The Hari Art Prize 2025 Finalists

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The Finalists of The Hari Art Prize 2025

The moment you’ve all been waiting for…

From an incredible pool of over 1,400 applicants, we are thrilled to reveal the top three finalists for The Hari Art Prize 2025, held in collaboration with A Space For Art.

Ranging from striking sculptures to captivating paintings, the shortlist celebrates a diverse array of artistic talent. Our esteemed panel of six judges faced the challenging task of narrowing down the selection from more than a thousand entries to 20 exceptional artists, then again to just three.

Discover the finalists and explore their remarkable works below.

THE WINNER Beth McAlester with "fnian bastard grry adms, 2025"

The judges were unanimous in their admiration for Beth McAlester’s work, praising both its emotional depth and technical sensitivity. Her intimate painting “f*nian b*astard g*rry ad*ms“, drawn from personal and collective memory, resonated deeply for its quiet reflection on themes of family, loss, and the lingering legacy of the Northern Irish conflict.

The panel was particularly struck by the subtlety with which McAlester weaves history into her practice – finding tenderness and humanity within political and cultural tension. Her recent Slade degree show demonstrated an exceptional maturity and a cohesive, confident body of work.

With her forthcoming studies at the Royal Academy Schools, the judges felt McAlester is at a pivotal point in her career, poised to develop an already distinctive voice. She is a truly worthy winner of The Hari Art Prize 2025.

RUNNER UP Franklin Collins with "Gather, 2025"

Franklin Collins 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, refining his fabrication processes while maintaining the raw integrity that defines his work. His ability to reimagine the everyday through sculptural intervention marks him as a compelling emerging voice in contemporary art.

RUNNER UP Elinor Haynes with "Drowning, 2024"

Elinor Haynes’ sculptural practice stood out for its originality, ambition, and experimental use of materials. The judges were intrigued by her ability to combine contrasting textures and forms, creating works that are both visually striking and conceptually layered.

Her sculptures reveal a strong sense of curiosity and risk-taking, pushing the boundaries of how materials can behave and interact.

The panel felt that Haynes’ approach demonstrates both innovation and commitment, and that the award would meaningfully support her continued experimentation, particularly in the fabrication and scaling-up of her work. Her distinct material sensibility and thoughtful craftsmanship make her a highly deserving finalist.