As part of a shared mission in making art, culture, and creativity accessible to everyone, this prize will stimulate dialogue around visual arts as a medium for positive global and social change and give exposure to emerging artists worldwide. 

The six winners from around the world were decided by some of the best business and creative minds from the M&C Saatchi Group globally and eminent guest judges. In this Art for Change series, we hear from our winners for 2022. Find out what inspires them artistically, what equality means to them, and what’s coming up next. 

The Art for Change Prize will return in Spring 2023.

Introducing Felix Chesher from London. Learn more about Felix’s work here.

Artist Felix Chesher with his winning entries, ‘Proximity’ and ‘PrEP’, at London’s Saatchi Gallery. Image credit: Tom Shaw

1. Describe your artistic practice in three words.

Felix> Real, Emotive, Sensitive. 

2. What excites you most about the Art for Change Prize? 

Felix> I’m honoured to be part of the first ever Art For Change Prize competition, a really important, fresh and needed exhibition. It’s exciting to see new emerging artists creating art with important messages.

3. You have been selected as the winner for the UK. Tell us about your winning artworks and the relationship to this year’s theme ‘Equality’. 

Felix> Both paintings selected mean a lot to me in different ways. ‘Proximity’ is very personal and captures a real experience in my life and in my studio. I’ve always been drawn to painting beds as I’ve spent most of my career as an artist sofa hopping or staying late and napping in my studio. 

4. Can you tell us more about where you are from and how this affects your work? 

Felix> I am originally from Reading but moved to London in 2017. London, being the art capital of the UK, is a perfect place for me to work and feel inspired

5. Where do you find your inspiration? 

Felix> I’ve been a member of the RA and Tate since being in London and regularly visiting exhibitions keeps me inspired and motivated.

6. Do you believe art has the power to change the world? 

Felix> Art has the power to change people who can then go on and help change the world. I personally believe that at this rate, art alone can’t. We need to look at the people and institutions with more power to really make a change. We also mustn’t forget that our current Prime Minister wanted creatives to retrain to more ‘appropriate’ jobs, such as cyber security.

7. If you could be compared to one artist from art history, who would it be?

Felix> Some of my works get compared to Lucian Freud’s. Whilst it is flattering as I’m a huge fan of his work, I think it’s important to not hyperfocus on other artists, instead focus on working on my own style and messages I want to share with the world. 

8. What’s next? 

Felix> I exhibited a painting at the London Art Fair this month. Having visited the last two years, I’m very excited and honoured to be a part of it this year.