Kate Groobey is the third Ruskin artist to be shortlisted for this prize; Oliver Beer (BFA2009) won in 2015, while Julie Brook (BFA1983) was also a nominee the same year.

Kate's figures are often pictured as if dancing or exercising, their strangely contorted bodies suggesting movement and an exaggerated flexibility. Kate begins each figure as a series of line drawings which she then develops as watercolour paintings. These paintings are then cut up, reassembled and repainted - the process is repeated until Kate is satisfied with the image. The small study is then translated as a large-scale oil painting to create the finished work.  She currently lives and works in London, United Kingdom.

She is nominated alongside Keith Milow and Mark Neville. The shortlisted artists will exhibit their work at the Daiwa Foundation Japan House Gallery, London in June 2018, when a winner will be announced. The winning artist’s solo show will be held at the partner gallery, Mizuma Art Gallery, Tokyo, Japan.

For more information on the prize, please see http://dajf.org.uk/grants-awards-prizes/daiwa-foundation-art-prize